Would you join a union

Gomer · Jan 28, 2004

No, but then I wouldn't apply to a unionized hospital either.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2004

I wouldn't work at a non-unionized hospital. We are in the final, hopefully, stages of renegotiating our new contract. The management, while stating they want and intend to offer competitive wages, offer us $.40 less per hour than the AVERAGE in our area. Oh, and they intend to be a wonderful place to come for treatment and for the work environment.

The places I've worked would have us all for for free except for the union contracts.

rollingstone · Jan 28, 2004

True, you don't have to join; however, you'll probably have to pay a service fee that is lower than union dues.

zenman · Jan 28, 2004

Posted by TNTRN: The management, while stating they want and intend to offer competitive wages, offer us $.40 less per hour than the AVERAGE in our area.

So $16 a week was a decision-maker for you?

bluesky, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2004

If I had a choice between a (clinically) great union hospital and a great non-union hospital, I'd go union. If I had the choice between a mediocre union hospital and a great non-union hospital, I'd go to the non-union for now.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2004

Originally posted by zenman
So $16 a week was a decision-maker for you?

Certainly helps make the decision. Along with other 'offers', none of which make our place attractive to hire on with or to stay with. I guess you could say it's on a long list of other symptoms. Bottom line is this: as long as the CEO gets his, and the stock holders get theirs (and by the way, the nurses are not ellible for stock options), they don't really care what the rest of us get. But "we want you to be happy."

fergus51 · Jan 28, 2004

I have chosen to work in a union environment. That's my personal preference after a few nasty experiences in my non-union life.

New Castle Ken · Jan 29, 2004

Originally posted by BadBird
I am about to accept a position at a hospital that is unionized; you don't have to join but I guess most do. What are your thoughts on this, would you join? Care to share the pros and cons?

I worked at a hospital for 10.5 years that was unionized. Management was forced to treat us fairly and with respect. Besides good wages and benefits we had a mature contract which meant we had extra benefits slipped in each contract negotiation. For instance mandatory overtime was always a big problem. When the schedule came out there were holes which were filled with mandatory overtime plus call ins. When this was put into the contract mandatory overtime could only be used in a documented emergency. This meant that your relief was in a car accident on their way to work or someone just didn't show up. The mandatory overtime was restricted up to 4 hours. It is amazing how seldom mandatory overtime was needed after this was in the contract. A fellow nurse was told to work MO, asked for the evidence, was refused, filed a grievance and won. As it turned out it wasn't judged an emergency.

In another instance the hospital decided to open the Crisis Unit 27/7 but didn't see the need for a regular 11-7 crew. If a patient needed to stay over they would use the on-call person. Once the doctors knew they could keep someone overnight there was always a need for a night nurse. We challenged this and went up several steps until the VP for Human Resources judged this to be mandatory overtime. So we won again and the hospital had to have a designated night shift. This actually saved them money as the first 2 overtime shifts of a 2 week pay period required double time (rather than time and one half). I prefer a state nurses association. A union is only as good as the officers who are elected and are co-workers, and the cooperation and participation of all members.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2004

I am planning on joining the union as I don't think it is fair for non union nurses to be represented the same as union nurses but not pay their fair share. It has been my experience that management puts the screws to the nurses who are not unionized. What amazes me is that after reading the responses both here and pm's it seems all unionized nurses are much happier.

gizelda196 · Jan 29, 2004

I would never work for a non union! Adminastration in a non -union facility usually has the nurse by the "balls". We had some of the same issues as new castle ken. I remember those days when my babies were new ,and I worked 3-11. I was up at the crack of dawn with my kids,worked all eve,and had a supervisor anounce "your staying until 7am" who cared is I had no sleep and it was unsafe. If you refused you would get slapped with patient desertion.imangine. Our union finally said enough!!!!!!.We took them to court! unsafe staffing issues,grievences,so.on. It is not perfect , But it works.

Currently in our icu we have 2 new adminastrators from a Non Union hospital. They came in thinking they could push us around ,talk to us like we were stupid,tell us sorry you cant go on vacation.Or the Old standby "We have no night help I am putting you on nights, today!With a contract that clearly states 2 weeks notice for a roation. We were like c Ya. They really blow. But it is fun watching them squim when you pull out you contract!I remind them almost daily I work for the hospital not you.I have a feeling the 2 wont be around much longer.

allnurses Guide · Jan 29, 2004

Well, I think we are generalizing again. ALL non-union hospitals do not have nurses by the "balls" even if you personally had that experience.

My experience is completely different. My DON and nursing supervisors never treat us like they have us by the "balls".

I personally would not join a union but not because I've worked for a hospital where the nurses where represented by a union and I was treated badly. It is just because I have a philosophical disagreement with paying someone to represent me as I feel I can represent myself and like sjoe says . . .I wouldn't put up with being treated badly.

steph