How does one go about contacting a union to talk about a union for Texas nurses? I know they were given the opportunity many years ago and did not follow through, but times have changed. Nurse in Texas need representation.
We could never get enough votes to get the unions in. Texas nurses are a combination of fearful, apathetic, and uninformed when it comes to unions. I am soooo glad to be out of there and back in a union area!!
One risks professional suicide by even bringing up the u-word there. :(
Just remember that any thing worth having is going to be a struggle and I wish you all the luck. The first thing you must do is talk to a representative from unions that specialize in representing nurses and only NURSES. The two that I know of are the National Nurses Organizing Committee (Go the website) and the American Nurses Association (Go to website) The American Nurses Association has the longer history but we in chicago found them getting lazy and resting on their laurels. I think it's easy to do so when you have had such a long wonderful history defending nurses, so we nurses at cook county broke off our relations with the Illinois Branch of the ANA and joined the California Nurses in forming this newer hungrier organization that is NNOC. The California Nurses Association after decertifying from ANA now have some of the best contracts in the United States. Do your research and understand your labor laws because employers may threaten your job or try their best to disuade you from getting representation.Rule number one of any union:Strength in numbers. Once you make the decision as to who you will choose to represent you, dedicate yourself with all the dedication you would give to a patient whos' very life rested in your hands. Don't let the idea of fair representation die. Hospitals are hiring companies who are paid thousands of dollars to union bust but with todays shortage RNs have all the power. :)
I am new in here and all , But I think that there needs to be a Nurses Union for Nurses and the Nurses Aides as well .
The reasons that I say the Nurses Aides too , is because without us the Nurses wouldn't know what is happening with the Patiences or the residents in the Nursing Centers or in the Hospitals ...... We the Nurses Aides or the eyes and the ears behind the Nurses all across the world and we should get the same respect as the R.N.'s and L.V.N's and L.P.N.'s do not the pay but at least a better pay than what they are paying us now .....
You just can't make it on $6.20 an hour and especaillywhen I drive 33 miles to go to work in Texas as an Certified Nurses Aide .
I hope that I don't make anyone mad but this is how I feel about it and if I was asked to join a UNION I sure would in a heart beat.
That my opinion and I hope that there is someone else out there that feels the sameway I do too.
Thats all I have to say on it ......
We have the right to equal or better pay as the others do because we do alot more than some of them do .
Thanks
Ladyoftherose:)
To LadyoftheRose: I an a Registered Nurse. I wholeheartedly agree with you that being paid $6.20 an hour is an insult to the important care you give. However, I disagree with your statement that aides are the eyes and ears behind the nurses, and the statement that nurses wouldn't know what was going on with their patients without the aides. We are professionals, with professional training. We haveto know what is going on with our patients, and are legally held accountable. I value the assistance aides bring to the team. They allow the nurses to perform nursing assessments and give nursing care. But to pay the aides $6.20 an hour is disgraceful. If the powers at be who make the wage decisions, had an aide cleaning up after their mother's bowel incontinence, so they didn't have to, really believed that job is worth only $6.20 an hour, then let them receive $6.20 an hour for it. Their minds of the aides value would change quickly I think. There is a hierarchy in nursing, and salary needs to reflect that, as accountability and responsibilty follow the same hierarchy. Good luck with the union representation. I can't imagine working without Union support in Canada.
Jen.
I have been A Certified Nurses Aide for 20 years now and I know that without us the Nurses wouldn't know alot that goes on with the patients that are in the Hospital's or Nursing Homes,(Centers), because we let you R.N's and L.V.N's know what is going on with them .... I live here in Texas and I have worked with alot of the R.N's and L.V.N.'s and they have said over the years that if it wasn't for us the C.N.A.'s that they wouldn't know how to go about treating them or helping them as far as that goes..... I don't know how it works there in Canada but I know how it goes here in Texas and it goes like this ......The C.N.A.'s are the eyes and ears as to what is wrong with the patients and we are suppose to be each others supporters but that stops when you become an R.N. or and L.V.N. here because we as Aides do not get the same Respect as the R.N.'s and L.V.N.'s do because we don't rank that high ..... Especailly when you have someone that is not willing to backup her C.N.A.'s like she does the R.N.'s and L.V.N.'s and too the D.O.N. is willing to let her R.N.'s and L.V.N.'s treat the Graveyard C.N.A.'s like dirt and run them off ..... Listen I think that we deserve to be paid alot more than $6.20 an hour and I think that we should have to same RESPECT as the other Nursing Staff does ..... We aren't dogs and we have feelings and we do care about the patients in the hospital's and the Nursing Homes (Centers), too . But I know for afact that we don't get it .... I think that the 90 probation period needs to be thrown out the window and I think that we should get on call pay and it should start from the time that we get the call till we get off too and I think that it should be different from the regular pay that we should get too and I think that we should get mileage too if we get called in on our days off.
Listen I am not trying to run down all Nurses , I have worked with some that isn't afraid to get out and help the C.N.A.'s on the floor and do what they do either but there are some that thinks that just because that they are now R.N.'s and L.V.N.'s that they are better than we are and they aren't .
Thats all I have to say on the subject of this matter.
You can reply to this message if you want too , but that is how I feel and I know some of the others that are C.N.A.'s feel the same way too ..... The D.O.N. shouldn't have her favorites either where I work at but she does and that isn't right either , you shouldn't treat one different than the other.
Ladyoftherose :)
Oops, sorry if I struck a nerve. You obviously feel very strongly about your situation there, and the lack of respect you are receiving. Good for you to speak out. The situation here in Canada is so very different. We really value ALL of our team members. I may have been an RN for over 25 years, but I have certainly learned a lot from Aides. You are usually the front line workers, and the information you pass along to the RN in charge is undeniable useful, in fact critical in the continuity and accuracy of care the patient receives. I can only speak for myself in saying that I value the Aides very much, and treat them with respect. No one deserves to be treated "like dogs" or deal with favouritism. That's where a Union can really help. They do not allow that to happen. But it sounds as if Canada is way ahead of Texas in that regard. No wonder Texas tries to recruit nurses from Canada so hard. They probably get a surprise though, when we go to bat for our teammates - that means you!
Good luck with your situation. You will always be made welcome in Canada! Keep in touch. I would be interested to learn what happens with contacting the union there.
Jen,
Yes you did, but that is alright though. I really want the Union here and I would love to join one, because its like you said they would put a stop to all that favoritetisim that is going on where I work at.... I just want the respect and the right pay for the right job that I am doing .... I hope that I don't make you mad but it just makes me upset to know that our state, the state of Texas is still trying for Slavery and it makes me upset that the work place is the one that is doing it so much here ... I like being an C.N.A. but I have dreams of going back to school and getting my degree in Nursing and becoming a Loving , Caring , and Understanding Nurse that I am..... I also know that it takes lots of patients and all and I am willing to go that extra mile to do what it takes to take care of my patients and therefore I need alot of help from someone that I can trust and depend on , and that is why I think that there should be a Nurses Union in Texas so badly if not for the Nurses then then for the C.N.A.'s because we deserve it too.
I don't know who to talk to about getting one started here and I have been looking for years now and if you know who I need to speak with please e-mail me privately and let me know please because I am so very interested in starting one .
I look forward in the up coming days in hearing from you and letting me know what I need to know ..... And again its good to know that I have someone out there on my side for a change .....Thanks
Ladyoftherose:)
LadyoftheRose: I apologize if in my effort to support you, I offended you. ALL team members need to be treated fairly and with respect. Because I live and work in Canada, any information I have is about Canadian Unions. However, in saying that, you could email the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) for information. They would have contacts in the US and most likely be knowledgable in sending you off in the right direction. Good Luck.
Jen,
Please do not apoloize for something that you are doing for me .... I thank you so very much for your support .... I do want you to know that I really wish that I could come to Canada and work there but I just don't think that I could right at this very moment...... I am so greatful that someone thinks that the Nurses Aides should be treated as equally.
I also want you to know that I am so greatful that I have someone on my side as far as the pay goes as well too .....
I will keep looking for someone that can help me with the information that I am wanting and I will keep in touch with you on and about it ...
Please keep up the good work ..... Being a Nurse Is My Goal and I am excited about it too. and nothing is going to stop me from it either ,
Laters
Ladyoftherose:)
I have just gotten off the telephone with someone that helpped me out on the information about getting a union started here where I live at ..... I did ask this person if there was unions here for Nurses in Texas and he said yes they were. And he told me how to go about getting one started where I live at and what it would take to make it happen or where I could sign up at.
He said that it needed to be 51% in order to make it happen .... So if there is anyone that is interested in starting up a Nurses Union where you live at then this is what he said that it needed to get off the ground.
1. get 4 or 5 people where you work at and then make sure they are the ones that like to run to management to , because you don't need them just yet.
2. then they find 4 or 5 people where they work at and get them to agree to it .
3. make sure you don't do it on company time do it on your breaks or on your lunch but make sure its not talked about on company time ....
4 the more people that you get the more is better , but remember you need to have 51% to make it a go and then its all up to you and the others when you are ready to take that step . Me I am ready because I am tired of being walked all over and treated badly because I am just an C.N.A. and here in Texas we don't get the respect that we deserve nor the pay that we deserve either .
So you and the others get it together and then make the call when you get all your people together and pick a place and time to meet with a Union Resp.and then get the ball rolling then.
I live here in Texas and I can sure give you the number of the person that you need to talk too about getting it started here in Texas ....
The only reason that I have found out anymore information is because I called my husbands Union Resp. and he told me who to contact then and I did.
Ladyoftherose
Nursechik, I also am a Texas RN and have been trying to quietly educate myself about unions. Is there legislation or something keeping them out? I have sent messages to several unions without reply. :confused: I have also asked for input from other nurses who are part of a union. I just joined this forum and would like more info on unions in general, and in Texas specifically. Would love to help.
Ladyoftherose;
You are making generalizations about all RNs and LVNs that are uncalled for. I really don't know what kind of environment you come from, but in my unit, CNAs don't touch the patients. The nurses are directly responsible for all aspects of their patients care, and are devoted to their patients. I find this to be true in most units in my hospital. Its not perfect, but its not what you are describing. I live and work in south Texas and I know how things work here, as I have worked in several areas around the state over the last 16 years. I do agree that CNAs should have more respect and better pay. However, the CNAs that I do work with are not openly hostile toward nurses. They are a part of our team, and are treated with respect by all of the other staff. I am sorry that you are so miserable. I hope things improve for you so that you can enjoy your job, and like the people you work with.
If you can get about 40 to 50 people to sign up stating that they would like to get a Union started for Nurses then we can get it going .....
Once you get this let me know and I will then set up a meeting with you and these other people that you have signed up ....... Do you work at or in A hospital ? if so get the maintaince people and the Nurses aides and the resp. on it ..... when they sign up have them put what department they work in as well.
Unions here in Texas are mostly for Iron workers and Doctors and Lawyers and Teachers and others .....
The reasons there isn't any Unions here in Texas for Nurses is because they ( your employers feel it is not neccessary for there to be one because they pay R.N.'s and L.V.N.'s enough money to keep out the unions and that they don't need one to make there decissions for them or talk to the others about benifits , but if you will get this the paper and have them sign it and put what type of work they do and what department they are in and rank they are then we can talk then . Do you live in Texas , if so how far are you from Dallas, Fort Worth area.
Thanks
Ladyoftherose
P.S. here is my e-mail address as to where you can e-mail at......
Just put in the subject line I wanna Talk about "Unions For Nurses"
I'm new here but the issues are not. I have been in the trenches for 5 1/2 years now and have been unsuccessful in bringing the nursing team together here in the Houston area. Texas is not a right to work State which simply means they can fire you if they don't like the way you wear your hair one day.
Nurses are afraid to lose their jobs. Noone is willing to stand behind me (the front man) and take the risk. What nurses do not realize is that we actually do have the upper hand. We outnumber everyone else. What, does everyone think they're going to fire all of us if we don't comply with their policies and procedures because we're acting like the patient advocates we are? Let's give this some serious thought nurses and ancillary staff.
There are 3.6 million nurses in the U.S. and just under 700,000 doctors. If we all put our money where our hearts are, we could easily make the transition from over burdening hospital policymakers and disrespectful doctors, and create a far better workplace with less stress.
Because I cannot get anyone in Houston to jump on the bargaining bandwagon to start a union contract negotiation, I have done the next best thing. I have started a nurse agency with all of the contract stipulations we would ask for in a union contract. The only difference is that instead of pocketing the money I give the following benefits to my employees: 32 hour work week=full time benefits. Paid retirement, paid medical benefits, each nurse gets their own CNA for their shift, contracted nurse/patient ratios, and the higher agency pay. If I offer rediculous benefits unmatched by any organization nurses and ancillary staff may come to work by the truckloads and with greater numbers behind me will give us the bargaining power we need.
If we can't get it one way, we'll get it another. If there is one thing nurses are good at it's coming up with solutions to problems. If any of you have any ideas that may help all of us nurses, please post a response or email me directly. I am willing to put forth the extra effort. It's time we got something done about our problem.
Hi. I live in West Texas and would like to get a union started as well. I am not currently working in a hospital, so I would love to do this for hospital nurses. I was and OR nurse for years and could tell some stories about the terrible treatment! Anyway, I have always heard that Texas has the Right To Work Law, which prohibits unions (basically, you have the right to work or not) Is this true? I would love some help in my area. I have even thought about placing an add in the paper.
Nurses are getting a union in Texas. Yes Texas is right to work state and you have the right to join an union or organization or even an association or not to join one it is your right. There are upsides to both. As an union member and organizor I know the power of many vs. power of one. Nurse be ready if you really want a union we are going to be running all over the state working for yall and organizing to help yall improve working conditions and hospital care
Thank you
Nothing for me as i'm Navy but having trouble understanding why a college educated professional registered nurse would want to join a union? Maybe it could be a good thing for a task oriented LPN/LVN? The only union workers I have here are housekeeping and since they joined the union the hospital is filthy. "Be careful what you wish for".
I am sorry you are having a bad experience and since you are in the navy yall have no unions so have no real experience. Unions help people and make change. Unions bring change and stability to the work force. Unions end child labor practices, made healthcare better by fighting for employers to provide heath insurance for workers. unions are responsible for 40 hr. work week and many other changes. Unions are strong and good if their members are if their members are lazy well then that is what you get. Nurses are over worked and under staffed at all levels and that is part of the Problem at Walter Reid and at all our nations hospitals. Their are 2 problems in healthcare today and a union can help with both. One their are shortages of RN's, LVN's, CNA, and others in the health care field. NUrses are under paid for the their training and education just like teachers. Second proplem in health care is HMO's. Truely we need to get the insurance companies out of hospitals and bring in a single payer type system where you can see the Doctor of your choicing and hospital of your choice. With HMO's you have t ouse who is in your network or pay higher copay or the whole bill if out of network. Somtimes things happen and you maybe in a small county and that hospital is not in your network and it is life or death. Now you are stuck with an outrageous bill that you can not afford. So either hospital eats the bill it goes to collections and your credit is ruined. The hospital is short the money for the doctors, and staff pay plus anything they used to treat you. So for hospitals to make money they run short handed at times and that leads to malpractice suits and to poor care for you or your family. Unions fight to protect you and the workers in this industury so you have better care. I am sorry you have had a bad expeirence. If you have ever been to a VA or Military hospital most employees that are not military are mebers of a Union (AFGE, or NTEU). Most non military persons working for the goverment i.e. DHS, DOD, SS, Treasury are members of a union most are meber of AFGE.
Thank you for your comments and hope theese fact help you
Thanks
Email Alert to all NNOC members (“yes” join) in Dallas and Ft Worth metro area.
Send asap
Use Texas Bulletin wrapper
MESQUITE HOSPITAL REFUSES TO FOLLOW 1:2 RATIO IN ICU
FIRES WHISTLE-BLOWERS
Three ICU RNs pleaded with Health Management Associations to fully and safely staff critically ill patients in the ICU; The hospital refused and instead fired the RNs
Show Your Support for
Safe Staffing Ratios
All Nurses Who are Meeting their Professional Obligations as Patient Advocates
Return to Work with lost wages and a clean record for the fired RNs
COME TO A PRESS CONFERENCE CALLED BY NNOC TEXAS AND COMMUNITY AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
9:00 a.m.
At the Main Entrance of the Dallas Regional Medical Center
(Formerly the Mesquite Medical Center)
1011 North Galloway Avenue
Mesquite
If possible please show up at 8:30 for a pre-press conference briefing.
You Can Also Help Out by Volunteering Some Time to
Block Walk in Mesquite Neighborhoods near the Hospital
Block Walk crews will be going out on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
June 12, 13, and 14
5:30 p.m.
Meet in the back of the Hospital parking lot at
1011 North Galloway Avenue
Mesquite
ICU RNs Pleaded with Health Management Associates to Fully Staff Intensive Care Unit; Instead They Were Fired
The firing on Monday, June 4th, of three nurses, employed by Health Management Associates at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite, brings forth the necessity to inform the public of a growing dangerous practice among health care systems. These Registered Nurses, Diana Sepeda, Nancy Friesen, and Sandra Taylor were fired for voicing their concerns for the safety of their patients due to the chronic understaffing of registered nurses in the ICU unit at the Mesquite facility where they were employed as critical care nurses. The nurses informed the charge nurse, the head nurse, and then the supervisor of nursing that they did not feel they could guarantee safe and quality care if they were forced to take on responsibility for the additional care of three high acuity patients each instead of the 1:2 nurse patient ratio mandated by the Standards of Nursing Practice. The nursing supervisor insisted that they either take three patients each or go home. They were also told that they were not professionals based on their concerns that they could not safely provide care for a case load consisting of more than a 1:2 nurse to patient ratio of patients with multiple high risk needs.
The NNOC’s position in support of its members at the Mesquite facility of Health Care Management Systems is this: Health Care Management Systems will agree to: (1.) Minimum RN-to-patient staff ratios in all ICU units will be 1:2 at all times on all shifts; (2.) The Hospital will not discipline any nurse who adheres to this staff-to-patient ratio to the obligations laid out in the Texas Nursing Practices Act; (3.) the Hospital will rescind its terminations of the RNs who protested the Hospitals violation of the 1:2 standard. NNOC would like to state publicly that this level of staffing is considered by these good nurses to be so vital to patient well being that they were willing to risk their jobs to protect their patients.
Concerns for their patient’s due to over loaded nurse-to-patient ratios has been studied at the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania. The objective of this study was to discover the relationship between the patient-to-nurse ratios and patient mortality, deaths following complications among surgical patients, and factors related to nurse retention. The conclusion of this study supports the concerns by nurses Sepeda, Friesen, and Taylor. In hospitals with high patient-to-nurse ratios, surgical patients experience higher risk-adjusted 30-day mortality rates. Nurses were also more likely to suffer burnout and job dissatisfaction. For each additional patient a nurse has, patients face a 7% greater chance of dying within 30 days.
Because of their concern for their patients before themselves and because they chose to stand up for Professional Nursing Standards these dedicated ICU nurses were wrongfully terminated. This simply should not be tolerated and these dedicated Professionals immediately re-instated.
