What is a union????

The Sphynx · Feb 18, 2006

By the way, if you get a chance at a union pension. Continue to take advantage of the 401K's, 401K's and 403b's are IRS supplementals so you can have both the pension and your portable savings.

Nancy2 · Feb 20, 2006

I don't know what 401K your talking about. I worked for many years for a hospital that matched dollar for dollar my contibution up to 3 percent of my anual earnings. I invested 75% in low risk mutual fund and 25 percent in moderate and have done quite well, even wiith the market dip of 2000. On the other hand my father who was a union plummer for many years saw his pension benefit cut to 1/3 of what he was promised after retiring and now that he has passed, my mother gets NOTHING! Pension monies are only paid to the members, there is no provision for spouses or beneficiaries.

Most Unions contract I've seen continue with 403B or 401K type retirement plans, with the exception of organizations that had pension plans in place even prior to a union, like the UC system and CHW.

mark hamel · Feb 20, 2006

Take a deep breath and click on the link ( food for thought )...... http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-nws-hisp19.html

SFCardiacRN · Feb 20, 2006

Anyone reading the posts of nurses employed in "right to work" states should be able to see the value of unions. And I'm not talking about unions secretly run by management. I find it bizarre that so many nurses are more afraid of unions than the are of low pay, poor benefits and unsafe patient ratios. All I have to say to nurses proud at having kept out the union...you'll never see the patient ratio or salary I already enjoy!

NurseKevin · Feb 20, 2006

Anyone reading the posts of nurses employed in "right to work" states should be able to see the value of unions. And I'm not talking about unions secretly run by management. I find it bizarre that so many nurses are more afraid of unions than the are of low pay, poor benefits and unsafe patient ratios. All I have to say to nurses proud at having kept out the union...you'll never see the patient ratio or salary I already enjoy!

Nor will they see the cost of living that you do either...

mark hamel · Feb 20, 2006

Maybe Kevin you need to move back to the south, it's going to be very busy in the healthcare field..... http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_3526974

BamaBound2bRN · Feb 20, 2006

I think all nurses should be unionized. I work at a union hospital in Pa, and we just negotiated one the best contracts in Pa. We have protection from unjust practices from management, no mandatory ot/ limited pulling to other areas of the hospital, pull pay, chg pay, most senior nurses can take 3 weeks vac in the summer, ability to bid on jobs throughout the hospital, some units have nurse patient ratios, tuition assistance, the best salary/benefit package in Pa. Our union is very active in trying to get some legislation passed regarding mandatory overtime/ nurse patient ratios. So please don't think that union are a wast of your money beccause their not. They help us gain the respect that we deserve as educated men and women who give direct patient care. REMEMBER NURSES SAVE LIVES 24/7 365!

There was a recent news show about some government workers, I believe they were in Oregon, who were fired- some after 15 years on the job- for refusing to join the union. I guess that particular union wasn't exactly looking out for the best interest of the workers- just the dues paying ones.

NurseKevin · Feb 20, 2006

Take a deep breath and click on the link ( food for thought )...... http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-nws-hisp19.html

LOL...

What is your point, workers are lazy and productivity has dropped?

I would try to bring in other workers too...

Maybe Kevin you need to move back to the south, it's going to be very busy in the healthcare field..... http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_3526974

LMAO Luke, I don't know if you are trying insinuate that I am rascist, or trying to show me that capitism works?

If you can produce goods cheaper somewhere else, they why wouldn't you? I know that I would...

I guess unions ran the cost of labor up so high that it simply was not econimally sound to operate there anymore. I guess you are of the mind that they companies should go bankrupt and close before they cut costs and continue to stay in business?

SFCardiacRN · Feb 20, 2006

Nor will they see the cost of living that you do either...

How much do you pay for milk or electricity? About the same that I do! Believe me I don't mind paying a few pennies more for gas or a couple hundred more in taxes to be able to make over 100k per year! If you are happy with a low paying non union no protection job that's great for you. I gladly pay a few dollars a week for mandated ratios, job protection, guarantied raises, great pay and an organization that will back me in management issues.

NurseKevin · Feb 20, 2006

I live in SoCal

Back home my wife and I would make about 20K less a year...

But our house would cost 75% less...

450K for a 3 bedroom house or 125 with alot more land?

milk and electricity could triple the cost out here and we would still be in the black over out here

BamaBound2bRN · Feb 20, 2006

How much do you pay for milk or electricity? About the same that I do! Believe me I don't mind paying a few pennies more for gas or a couple hundred more in taxes to be able to make over 100k per year! If you are happy with a low paying non union no protection job that's great for you. I gladly pay a few dollars a week for mandated ratios, job protection, guarantied raises, great pay and an organization that will back me in management issues.

My best friend worked in a union steel mill. The shop steward/ foreman had all the power- as in most union organizations- and if you were on his good list, you got away with almost anything, if you were on his bad list- show up late for work and good bye. My buddy was the Shop Steward, and when he got tired of the hipocracy (Spell?) he quit and went to a non-union mill where he makes twice as much with less headaches. As far as job protection and pensions- ask the Ford workers that just got let go, or UAL employees about their pensions?

SFCardiacRN · Feb 20, 2006

One crappy union doesn't make them all bad. CNA is a good nurses union. SEIU is a crappy one. Which union you are represented by is important in job selection. I think what has happened to UAL workers is criminal but in today's political climate it will go unpunished.