What's Union

kat7ap · Sep 27, 2007

I was in a union at the last hospital I worked at. I don't know everything about it but, basically it's like any other worker's union that has an agreement with the company about your working conditions, pay, and benefits. It was probably a few dollars out of every paycheck, and I think it could max out at $30.

Fiona59 · Sep 27, 2007

I am a unionized nurse and would think twice before accepting a job in a non-union organization.

The union dues are based on a percentage of your wages. Unions have grievance procedures that management have to follow be it in seniority issues, performance issues, etc. Performance report coming up and you feel that you manager might have it in for you?--You can bring a union steward with you to ensure that the review remains professional and doesn't turn into pick-on session. Qualified and have enough seniority to get the transfer within the hospital that you want, didn't get it?--union can and will investigate.

Unions have gotten workers paid vacations, benefits, statutory holiday pay (what do you think Labour Day is all about/) and the wages that are liveable.

Yup, I'm a union nurse and proud of it.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2007

I always thought I'd never be a union nurse,because I'd probably cross the picket line (if one).

Since then I have had to join a union in order to be employed there. I filed a grievance when I was very ill and my DON had posted my job without my knowledge.

The union rep sat right beside me and after arguing a mute point with administration, I was compensated monitarily. Then I quit.

Union advocates have rules that the facility must follow to a "T",or else they the administration have to answer to the union, and members at some point can picket publicly without being fired.

This has been my experience, others may be different. Plus the pay seems to be better.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 29, 2007

Unions are supposedly offering more security, they bargain for your health insurance, vacation times, advocate for you for grievances and such. As Fiona stated, I would personally NEVER work for a facility that has no union. Negatives about unions is that they protect EVERYONE, including unsavory employees who get to flourish at these jobs for many years and nothing happens to them. My take is this; if the screw ups can get protection, why can't I?

sharona97, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2007

Pagandeva2000,

Sad but true.

Fiona59 · Sep 30, 2007

In my province, as unionized nurses we are not permitted to strike due to being classified as "essential" service workers.

Usually we mount an information picket line, with everyone going to work, refusing overtime, reporting each and every unsafe occurence. Basically working to rule. We try to play nice in the sandbox.