Would you choose a union job or non union job?

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I work in a Hospital that is non-union. But all the other hospitals in my area are union. Just wondering people's experience with both types of situations...thanks

There is something like a 20% wage premium for working in a union hospital over a non union hospital.

Plus thanks to MNA:

Saying no to extra hours

Nurses employed at state facilities will have the same ability to say no to overtime as those in the private sector.

Because some nurses felt they were being forced into too many overtime hours through intimidation, a 2002 law permits a nurse to refuse mandatory overtime without consequences from their employer if he or she feels tired or sick and believes it is in the best interest of the nurse and patients not to be in a caregiver role during those hours. A new law, effective Aug. 1, 2007, adds state-employed nurses involved in resident or patient care, regardless of the type of facility. It does not supersede a valid collective bargaining agreement.

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hin...07&storyid=517

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For job security and the other benefits we get from my job similar to that of Valerie Salva, I would definitely stick to my unionised job.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

I have worked both, and to be honest, didn't see much difference. Lots of drama with the union. There are so many agencies that regulate healthcare, and trump Union - OSHA, JAHCO, BON, that the union often finds its hands tied. I will never work with a Union again - when I was working in Hawaii, the LPNs at our hospital went out on strike, as is their right. But when the RNs stepped in to take up the slack, we were treated like scabs for crossing the picket line. You have to ask yourself what you would do in the event of a strike. My patients come first.

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I have worked both, and to be honest, didn't see much difference. Lots of drama with the union. There are so many agencies that regulate healthcare, and trump Union - OSHA, JAHCO, BON, that the union often finds its hands tied. I will never work with a Union again - when I was working in Hawaii, the LPNs at our hospital went out on strike, as is their right. But when the RNs stepped in to take up the slack, we were treated like scabs for crossing the picket line. You have to ask yourself what you would do in the event of a strike. My patients come first.

Another reason to support unionization:

January 4, 2008

Arizona Patient Protection Act Introduced - HB 2041 Sets Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios, Ability for Nurses to Advocate for Urgent Patient Safety Measures

Arizona registered nurse leaders today announced the historic introduction of major legislation to make Arizona hospitals safer for patients and strengthen the ability of RNs to expose unsafe conditions and advocate for patient protections.

HB 2041, the Arizona Patient Protection Act, is sponsored by House member Tom Prezelski at the request of the National Nurses Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association.

Introduction of the bill was greeted by nurses across the state who have voiced increasing alarm about the erosion of care conditions in Arizona hospitals that they say put patients at risk and fan the nursing shortage as many RNs will no longer work in unsafe hospitals.

Among its major provisions, the Act:

* Mandates minimum, specific RN-to-patient staffing ratios which are widely seen by nurses and health care experts to be the most effective standard for safer nursing care and for promoting the retention and recruitment of RNs.

* Whistleblower protection for RNs who report unsafe hospital conditions or for refusing unsafe patient care assignments.

* Legal recognition of the right of RNs to act as advocates for their patients rather than for the economic interests of their hospital employer.

"Hospitals have a responsibility to staff properly in order for nurses to provide quality care for patients. Hospitals aren't doing that," said Diane Baker, an RN at Flagstaff Medical Center.

"The Arizona Patient Protection Act requires staffing levels, at all times, based on the acuity of the patient. This will save lives and allow us to provide the care that our fellow Arizonians deserve." ...

http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/310833.html

From Spacenurse.

The unions are at the forefront of safe staffing laws...

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I've seen "at-will" employment used to eliminate people who were challenging unfair behavior.

I've seen "at-will" employment used to eliminate older, more expensive employees simply to replace them with younger, cheaper ones

I've seen "at-will" employment used to create a position for the owner's kid

Me, I'll take a collective bargaining agreement any day.

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I've seen "at-will" employment used to eliminate people who were challenging unfair behavior.

I've seen "at-will" employment used to eliminate older, more expensive employees simply to replace them with younger, cheaper ones

I've seen "at-will" employment used to create a position for the owner's kid

Me, I'll take a collective bargaining agreement any day.

Why would anyone want to continue working for such unethical people?

steph

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Why would anyone want to continue working for such unethical people?

steph

I'm not sure that anybody "wanted" to. In my case, I did it solely to keep food on the table, the mortgage paid, the medical insurance in force, and my wife able to stay home with our little girl.

I presume that others had similar reasons.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
Union all the way, mostly due to the representation it provides(although the benefits are a huge plus too). You're really at the mercy of a non-unionized workplace---one could be fired for virtually no reason at all.

Actually in most states the employer or employee can terminate at any time without reason - its called right to work or at will employment.

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Why would anyone want to continue working for such unethical people?

steph

Because the patients need nurses to care for them and to advocate for them. When our excellent and kind administration was replaced by greedy profit driven people we nurses unionized.

I think we saved our hospital.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

DEFINITLEY UNION epecially working in direct patient care---better job security and healthcare benefits.

Nursing Education and Staff development also need union protection.

:redpinkhe

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i prefer unions my self

one thing that turned me off on huckabee was his crossing a picket line for some free exposure

if you are alone in a room and the suits have toss you between them you have no chance

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When i first started nursing 40 years ago I went into the manager's office, discussed my salary, shifts, requirements and was hired. If I had problems, I went and talked with her and was able to handle things.

Now, hospitals are more impersonal, money oriented, and your position is not handled on a one to one basis with your manager. It's just not feasible, I think, to expect to be treated fairly by a large company without some clout. I don't like unions, think they ask too much for fees, don't always represent MY views and needs but unions have become a necessary evil in large hospitals. Maybe, in smaller hospitals, unions are necessary. I would love to be able to just go talk with my manager and arrange my employment like I once did. Those days are long gone...TOO BAD.

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