Q&A

Can nurses form a union?

Can nurses form a union?

At the moment, there is no single labor union that represents nurses nationwide. Instead, a variety of unions (some of which represent workers in other industries) perform collective bargaining on behalf of RNs, LPNs, LVNs and other healthcare employees with the management of individual healthcare facilities.

Can a group of employees start a union?

A union is formed when any group of employees decides they would rather bargain their work terms and conditions as a group rather than individually. That group approaches a known trade union such as Teamsters Local 31 seeking certification.

Why do nurses want to unionize?

The goal of the union is to advocate for nurses in hopes to improve benefits, wages, and other working conditions. Unions have been around for over 100 years and while they have seen a drastic decrease in involvement, the healthcare industry has seen a steady involvement over the years.

Why are nurses organizing to form a union?

Nurses say they started organizing to form a union in response to safety problems that have plagued the hospital, chronic understaffing, and retaliation against nurses who spoke up.

Why was there a drive to unionize nurses?

The drive for unionization in the last century came at a time when nursing organizations across the world were advocating for recognition of nursing as a profession. Unions were for laborers and those in trades – professionals generally did not join unions. Furthermore, union tactics were viewed as being in conflict with the values of nursing.

Are there any nurses unions that do collective bargaining?

Because a lot of the state nurses associations don’t do collective bargaining, unions as diverse as teachers, steelworkers and teamsters have some nurse members. But I don’t believe they are the best choice. Check out your state association first and find out whether they do collective bargaining.

What kind of Union is the National Nurses United?

The National Nurses United (NNU), for instance, is a labor organization that represents members for the purposes of collective bargaining to win improvements in working conditions, enforceable by a contract; and, NNU is a professional association that sets standards of nursing practice and patient advocacy.

The drive for unionization in the last century came at a time when nursing organizations across the world were advocating for recognition of nursing as a profession. Unions were for laborers and those in trades – professionals generally did not join unions. Furthermore, union tactics were viewed as being in conflict with the values of nursing.

What do nurses need to know about forming a nursing union?

Here’s everything a nurse needs to know about forming a nursing union. First Contact. Before anything else, give us a call at 614-237-5414. We have organizers on staff whose job is to lead you through this process and answer all of your questions.

Because a lot of the state nurses associations don’t do collective bargaining, unions as diverse as teachers, steelworkers and teamsters have some nurse members. But I don’t believe they are the best choice. Check out your state association first and find out whether they do collective bargaining.

Which is the largest nursing union in the United States?

National Nurses United (NNU) was created in 2009 when the state nursing associations of California and Massachusetts disassociated from the ANA to combine with the UAN. Today NNU is the largest nursing union in the US, although there are many different unions representing nurses in this country.