In short form, yes. Your contract may have a loophole or a work around, but if your facility is unionized, in my opinion, it is best to go with the flow.
Union dues are subtracted from your paycheck as per your contract and that makes you a member of your union. Each union has its own qualities, so please obtain a contract book and READ it. To be honest, as a young nurse I felt a lot of it was just work politics and it didn’t pertain to me. I was wrong. The contract book outlines your benefits, seniority, your retirement, and so much more. If you are ever in a situation where you are called into a meeting where there is potential for consequences, you should bring a union representative with you as a witness. Your rep may advise you on what to say or not say in the meeting. If you are in the right, they may help you regain what you have lost. They cannot help you, if you worked outside your scope of practice or did not follow policy. Become familiar with who your union reps are and honor them because they fight for all of us collectively.
There have been quite a few healthcare strikes recently that have made the news and there will be more to come as we fight for fair wages, protection from harm, workload disputes (patient-to-nurse ratio), benefits, and more. It is not always just about the wages like some people think.
Do you think it is OK for a patient to harass or assault a healthcare worker?
Is it OK for one nurse to be responsible for 12 patients at a time?
Pensions and benefits are being challenged, employers want to take away what we already have.
Is it OK to be made to work in an area that you have no training in?
Is it OK for new hires to not have the same benefits as you?
Your nurse:patient ratio is supposed to be 1:5, your manager gives you an admit – do you take it?
You have been working at a facility for 7 years and waiting to get a new position and a manager gives the job to their friend who just got hired on instead. Is that OK?
None of your vacation days were approved, but you notice that your peer who is good friends with one of the managers got all her requests approved. is that OK?
These are some of the questions to ask yourself. The Union fights for these rights and more.
CROSSING THE PICKET LINE DURING A STRIKE. Going on strike means to walk off the job or not to report to your shift when your Union has filed to strike. You will NOT BE PAID by your employer during that time (unless maybe if you already had an pre-approved vacation). We all have bills to pay and generally, a strike is not something that is taken lightly by anyone. Strikes are necessary when bargaining stalls or what is being offered is so poor that we cannot agree to it. Strikes must be legally filed. If your strike is not legal, your job is not protected.
There is always a compromise. The Union asks for a lot to start and the Employer will present takeaways, the end agreement is always somewhere in between. It is important to support the strike movement and NOT to cross the line because your peers are fighting for you too. Crossing the line weakens the movement. However, everyone is in their own situation and if crossing is what you need to survive, then you have to do what you need to do. Your Employer will hire “Scabs” to take your place and they are making a living just like you – there’s no need to be aggressive towards them.
As a nurse who has been through many contract negotiation years, it is something that is stressful for all. No one really wants to go on strike and lose wages. As older nurses leave the workplace, it is important that younger nurses step up and learn so that they do not lose ground on what has been fought for. Without a strong union, your Employer and management can ask you to do whatever they want and who will stand up for you? The Contract outlines the rules that all staff abide by to keep things fair. Know your Contract.
In Summary, Unions represent us and fight for us. Fight for yourself.
Union Links
You may be required to become a union member in good standing to become employed or remain employed at certain facilities or you may have the option to donate union dues elsewhere. As Nurses, we advocate for our patients and our Union (if you are part of one) should be advocating for us. Here are links to some of the Unions in the US:
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- National Nurses United (NNU)
- NNU/California Nurses Association (CNA)
- SEIU Local 1000/Unit 17 for California RNs who work in prisons, veteran’s homes, developmental centers, mental health hospitals, departments of healthcare services and public health, special schools and other departments
***In solidarity, if you go against one of us, you go against all of us***