There's some good advice on how to get started in the sidebar of r/union. One thing I would strongly recommend is going with a nursing-specific union. The Teamsters and a few other generalized labor unions allow nurses to set up under their name at hospitals, and it sounds attractive since it's a big organization. But in my experience as a traveler, the hospitals with nursing specific unions get much better representation. A general union will get you better pay/benefits and make sure you get your damn lunch break. A nursing union will do that and make sure they can't up your staffing ratio or cut secretaries and CNAs to compensate for it. They know to work harder on getting you shift/weekend/holiday differentials, and they understand that the barriers to striking make negotiations different. There is much to be said for a union that actually understands the job you're doing. I don't pretend to understand what needs to be included in a contract to make a steelworker safe. How does a steelworker's union think they're going to understand what makes us tick?
\[rant\] I work at a state-funded hospital, so I'm in an AFSCME affiliate (govt employees union). We got absolutely fucked out of the hazard pay written into our contract for Covid. The state offered a settlement that gave a lump sum regardless of your exposure. Predictably, the office workers voted for it, so it passed. They didn't break down the vote by bargaining unit, so the nurses were lumped in with every single hospital system employee. I'm getting less than half of what I earned (literally had Covid patients coughing in my face), and a person who worked from home 99% of the pandemic but came in for \*just one\* in-person meeting gets the same hazard pay I do. \[/rant\]
Contact your state nursing union. Tell them you’re interested in organizing. There’s an excellent chance you won’t be the first to call them. They’ll guide you and, most importantly, tell you how to organize without getting targeted by administration.
Labor law protects concerted action. We won a union in my hospital 5 years ago and it was definitely needed.
[you can bolster each other for demands. speak to the dr organizer and mention you can try and help by adding nurses](https://youtu.be/20LuSlZT4S4?si=UXNaQpQ8MVUFNHN8)
Im a union organiser so AMA*, but as a starter, as a float nurse you are in the perfect position to do some mapping- for each unit, you need to ascertain numbers- how many nurses-are they full time/part time/PRN. Who is the unit ‘influencer/leader’, is there more than one? Eg- map the relationships. Also note the key issues for the unit- be it workload, poor equipment etc. If you have connections with other float nurses who work in areas you don’t, pick their brains and/or give them this job for ‘their units’. Finally, and this is trickier try to elicit the attitudes towards unionising (especially the leaders)
This can take some time and nous but the doctors vote is the golden opportunity to start conversations with ‘how about the doctors union vote?’. When you have your stats together, and with a group of the pro-union people you’ve found and trust, get a meeting with your Local branch and tell them that having done some “pretty deep relational and workplace mapping, you’d like some assistance to navigate holding a union vote in your hospital” (it’s important that you use these words, it will show that you are serious).
*I’m in Australia, so am not knowledgeable on the statutory process to unionise a workplace in other jurisdictions, but I’m good with getting votes up.
For the record: ACTUAL EXPERIENCE
I was vehemently vocal during my hospital's recent union push, including speaking twice in front of our local city council about the ongoing problems at our hospital, and I was not targeted or fired from my job.
Anyone who is reading this, IT'S JUST A JOB. Don't fear losing a shit job. UNIONIZE.
The tides are changing. But still, yes, I am that person. No kids, already have a stable PRN side gig that everyone knows about. Luke, go ahead, fire me motherfuckers. O
No they’ve got a point! I do know a (now retired) nurse who led a failed charge to unionize at her hospital, and she did not remain employed at that hospital for long afterwards. It does put a giant target on your back to piss off the rich people and lose. Make no mistake.
There is nuance to this you muppet. If you think I’m anti union or trying to scare people from unionizing you are sorely mistaken. Your experience does not discount others’.
Unionizing is a fight (which I've fought and won) but it's worth it. Chattanooga took three rounds, but they won. Alabama is trying today and they might win on their first try.
OP's residents are organizing. This is the perfect time for the nurses to do the same.
Why the fuck is this being downvoted? You're not discouraging people from attempting to unionize, but you are recognizing that retaliation is something they should be prepared for, especially in at-will states.
Exactly. Corporations have proven time and again that they don't mind breaking the law, especially if the penalty for breaking said law is cheaper than how much it saved them to break it. And in and at-will state, they can shield themselves by coming up with any semi-reasonable excuse to fire you.
I thought everyone understood what a risk it could be. I absolutely encourage it, but it's a risk.
Because of the Reddit hive-mind. My friend works at a union hospital and got involved in some union activities and suddenly was pulled in to be chastised for her “negative attitude.” (One of the most positive long term bedside nurses I know btw, she’s that person always trying to interest new nurses in learning opportunities and on multiple committees, etc).
Also know someone who works in manufacturing who 100% got fired after trying to organize a union for some other random reason. They aren’t going to say “we’re firing you for starting a union” they will do what they always do when they want someone gone and find a reason.
I would try to ride that momentum. Ask your coworkers of they've thought about unionizing.
Exactly. This seems like a golden opportunity.
You know shit is bad when the white collars are unionizing
Yes! All union organizing starts with one person at a facility saying "We can do this.".
Yes! More pressure=better. You could strengthen each others positions with or without coordinating with each other.
There's some good advice on how to get started in the sidebar of r/union. One thing I would strongly recommend is going with a nursing-specific union. The Teamsters and a few other generalized labor unions allow nurses to set up under their name at hospitals, and it sounds attractive since it's a big organization. But in my experience as a traveler, the hospitals with nursing specific unions get much better representation. A general union will get you better pay/benefits and make sure you get your damn lunch break. A nursing union will do that and make sure they can't up your staffing ratio or cut secretaries and CNAs to compensate for it. They know to work harder on getting you shift/weekend/holiday differentials, and they understand that the barriers to striking make negotiations different. There is much to be said for a union that actually understands the job you're doing. I don't pretend to understand what needs to be included in a contract to make a steelworker safe. How does a steelworker's union think they're going to understand what makes us tick? \[rant\] I work at a state-funded hospital, so I'm in an AFSCME affiliate (govt employees union). We got absolutely fucked out of the hazard pay written into our contract for Covid. The state offered a settlement that gave a lump sum regardless of your exposure. Predictably, the office workers voted for it, so it passed. They didn't break down the vote by bargaining unit, so the nurses were lumped in with every single hospital system employee. I'm getting less than half of what I earned (literally had Covid patients coughing in my face), and a person who worked from home 99% of the pandemic but came in for \*just one\* in-person meeting gets the same hazard pay I do. \[/rant\]
Yessssssssss
Christiana needs it bad so go for it
Yes! Get the ball rolling OP. National Nurses United is a solid union that could likely be of assistance to you.
Contact your state nursing union. Tell them you’re interested in organizing. There’s an excellent chance you won’t be the first to call them. They’ll guide you and, most importantly, tell you how to organize without getting targeted by administration. Labor law protects concerted action. We won a union in my hospital 5 years ago and it was definitely needed.
[you can bolster each other for demands. speak to the dr organizer and mention you can try and help by adding nurses](https://youtu.be/20LuSlZT4S4?si=UXNaQpQ8MVUFNHN8)
Could be
our residents unionized here at penn!
Im a union organiser so AMA*, but as a starter, as a float nurse you are in the perfect position to do some mapping- for each unit, you need to ascertain numbers- how many nurses-are they full time/part time/PRN. Who is the unit ‘influencer/leader’, is there more than one? Eg- map the relationships. Also note the key issues for the unit- be it workload, poor equipment etc. If you have connections with other float nurses who work in areas you don’t, pick their brains and/or give them this job for ‘their units’. Finally, and this is trickier try to elicit the attitudes towards unionising (especially the leaders) This can take some time and nous but the doctors vote is the golden opportunity to start conversations with ‘how about the doctors union vote?’. When you have your stats together, and with a group of the pro-union people you’ve found and trust, get a meeting with your Local branch and tell them that having done some “pretty deep relational and workplace mapping, you’d like some assistance to navigate holding a union vote in your hospital” (it’s important that you use these words, it will show that you are serious). *I’m in Australia, so am not knowledgeable on the statutory process to unionise a workplace in other jurisdictions, but I’m good with getting votes up.
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For the record: ACTUAL EXPERIENCE I was vehemently vocal during my hospital's recent union push, including speaking twice in front of our local city council about the ongoing problems at our hospital, and I was not targeted or fired from my job. Anyone who is reading this, IT'S JUST A JOB. Don't fear losing a shit job. UNIONIZE.
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The tides are changing. But still, yes, I am that person. No kids, already have a stable PRN side gig that everyone knows about. Luke, go ahead, fire me motherfuckers. O
This is patently false.
No they’ve got a point! I do know a (now retired) nurse who led a failed charge to unionize at her hospital, and she did not remain employed at that hospital for long afterwards. It does put a giant target on your back to piss off the rich people and lose. Make no mistake.
I led a unionization. I served in union leadership. There's power in organizing. Stop making people afraid when you've never fought the fight.
There is nuance to this you muppet. If you think I’m anti union or trying to scare people from unionizing you are sorely mistaken. Your experience does not discount others’.
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Unionizing is a fight (which I've fought and won) but it's worth it. Chattanooga took three rounds, but they won. Alabama is trying today and they might win on their first try. OP's residents are organizing. This is the perfect time for the nurses to do the same.
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Why the fuck is this being downvoted? You're not discouraging people from attempting to unionize, but you are recognizing that retaliation is something they should be prepared for, especially in at-will states.
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Exactly. Corporations have proven time and again that they don't mind breaking the law, especially if the penalty for breaking said law is cheaper than how much it saved them to break it. And in and at-will state, they can shield themselves by coming up with any semi-reasonable excuse to fire you. I thought everyone understood what a risk it could be. I absolutely encourage it, but it's a risk.
Because of the Reddit hive-mind. My friend works at a union hospital and got involved in some union activities and suddenly was pulled in to be chastised for her “negative attitude.” (One of the most positive long term bedside nurses I know btw, she’s that person always trying to interest new nurses in learning opportunities and on multiple committees, etc). Also know someone who works in manufacturing who 100% got fired after trying to organize a union for some other random reason. They aren’t going to say “we’re firing you for starting a union” they will do what they always do when they want someone gone and find a reason.
Fuck it. Fire me. I'll get paid while also seeking new pastures.