Posted on 09/21/2011 12:40:28 PM PDT by NoGrayZone
My sister works for a hospital that was just taken over by LIJ. Apparently, LIJ, who is non union wants some changes made to the union benefits.
The union representing the RN's supposedly "took a vote" and decided the majority wanted a strike, to begin on 9/30/11.
LIJ said "go ahead" and have temp RN's to cover their shifts. In speaking w/ my sister I asked how many nurses she spoke with regarding this strike.
She stated most that she spoke with were against it. On her floor alone, there was 1 person saying "heck yeah", while the other 9, including herself said hell no.
So, if by a small margin, 1 out of 10 were for the strike. The RN's are all freaking out because in most cases, they are the sole bread winners in their family.
My sister inquired about not going on strike with the rest of them and was told she could do it.....but once the strike was over she would be fired.
We know nothing about unions and how they work. We have no idea whom to speak to and get legal counseling.
Any FReepers out there who may have been in such a situation? We don't know where to turn to for help. She can't afford to strike nor lose her job.
She is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
She said "I know, I know you weren't mad at me". We have no idea what to do. Neither one of us has ever been in a union before (she was the first).
“once the strike was over she would be fired”
Wow I actually didn’t know the unions have hire & fire power. It’s insane.
Who told her she would be fired when the strike was over? The union? If so, tell her to get a lawyer who specializes in employment law and tell him she wants to go back to work. Do what he says.
nah, but when I was at UPS in college my manager told how the rear window of his Saab turbo was “removed” by two gentlemen with a very large chain (according to the witness)...
Apparently they do. I was speaking w/ some co-workers about it. They can make up anything to make a person look bad and ripe for firing.
Not yet, but I’m a state employee in Wisconsin. The possibility loomed large for a while. I was told by those who were around 20-25 years ago when state workers struck, and crossed the picket lines, that the hostility between co-workers lingered long after the strike was over.
Yes, it as the union who told her that. Unfortunately, she can’t afford an attorney. She’s struggling now just to make ends meet.
Did your sister vote? It sounds like she was unaware there was even a vote.
If her and her union co-workers don’t think that the union is negotiating in their best interests they can call an election and vote the union out. The NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) is the fed agency that oversees this. Also, is she in a right-to-work state? If she is then she can leave the union and has every right to negotiate her own contract with the hospital.
Eeeek. The last place anyone would want such hostility would be in a hospital.
Depending on the union they may not even need to go that far. Over the years several unions got concessions where they are the final authority over firing and hiring. An employee’s only recourse would be to file a union grievance.
Funny you should bring that up. No, she didn't vote. You are correct....she was unaware there was a vote!
They are having a meeting today, should last till 4pm Eastern time. I advised her last night to write down all questions and concerns she has regarding this strike and to pass along these worries to other RN's she knows are against it. I told her to do that so she would not be singled out.
She could hold her own ‘vote’ and publicly and loudly say that we voted NOT TO go on strike, (she would need others to stand behind her) and then show up for work as normal.
http://www.unionfacts.com/union-member-resources/how-to-decertify-your-union
http://www.nrtw.org/decertification-election
http://www.1-888-no-union.com/decertification.html
http://www.unionfreeamerica.com/decertifying_private.htm
What state does she live in? You need to determine if it is a Right-to-Work state.
We are in NY. I don’t believe it’s a right to work state.
Wish I had advice. I don’t.
I was caught up in a hospital strike when I was a clinical nurse specialist. This was in the 80s, and nursing unions were relatively new and still voluntary. Administration immediately notified me that I was management, which was news to me. That meant that I would work if there was a strike. I guess I’m thankful I was spared the decision.
The strike really changed things. We were once one big happy family. Like I said, I didn’t even have a clue I was management. Suddenly we were split into two camps: staff and management. Staff was also split into two camps: those who wanted to strike and those who didn’t.
There were several nurses who did not have the heart to walk out on the job at the appointed hour. We were in critical care. Patients were on life support, etc, and few hospital administrators were skilled to offer competent care. Others just walked out on patients who literally depended on them for their lives. Critical care patients often die. More than usual died during the strike.
The wounds took years to heal, and when things got back to normal, we had another strike.
All I can say is that your sister will never be able to please everyone from now on in. She might as well follow her conscious, because half of her co-workers will hate her, no matter what she does.
I am truly sorry.
sorry to admit this (or proud too) but most nurses are not into strikes etc...you're right.....many are sole breadwinners or the main breadwinner....
we are all going to have to accept changes and hardships as the health field takes the full hit from obamanoncare....I hope your sister's union has thought this thru....
of course a strike vote does not mean a strike....its a threat...its permission for the union to continue to push their agenda....I wish your sister luck....hopefully, its all a bluff....
btw....where in NY?
Then she (or one of her concerned co-workers) might want to contact the NLRB to find out what their rights are. It's a good place to start anyway and it won't cost her anything. And have her document everything.
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