There have been several instances of already formed collective bargaining
units represented by the state nurses’ association switching to AFL-CIO
affiliated unions. The American Nurses Association is reeling from the
defections, including the defection of the 20,000 member CNA from the ANA in
1995. The California affiliate complained that the national leadership wasn’t
doing enough to combat layoffs and staff shortages. (Jaklevic, 1999) Each state
nurses association (except now California) is a member of the ANA. Each state
nurses association is divided into two branches, a policy branch and a
collective bargaining branch. The ANA is loudly protesting that “only nurses
should represent nurses”, however, unions such as the SEIU charge that the
associations are much more geared toward policy making and academic issues than
collective bargaining.
There is currently a critical shortage of nurses in this
country. As long as nurses continue to feel disenfranchised, unprotected and
under siege by doctors and health care administrators, interest in unions will
grow stronger. Nurses organize not only to protect themselves, but also to
protect the patients under their care, as evidenced by the recent activity
regarding staffing levels and acuity systems. Administrators should attempt to
understand nurses. If you allow nurses to effectively care for their patients,
half the battle is won. Better healthcare would mean better labor management
relationships. If they turn a blind eye, there are many collective bargaining
units waiting for the opportunity to organize.
Bibliography
Foner, E., & Garraty, J. (1991). The Reader’s Companion to American History
Houghton Mifflin, Co. Electronic version licensed by Inso Corporation. Greene,
J. (1998, June 20). Nurses’ aid: labor groups look to nursing to boost their
dwindling ranks, promising tough tactics. Hospitals and Health Networks, 72 (8),
38-40. Jaklevic, M. (1999, July 5). Associations join pro-union ranks” Doc,
nurse organizations want to give their members a stronger voice, new services.
Modern Healthcare, 6. Maidment, F. (1997). Annual Editions: Human Resources
1997, 98. Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill. Mathis, R., & Jackson, J. (2000)
Human Resource Management (9th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: South-Western College
Publishing. Moore, J. (1999). Nurse union gains in California: CAN uses
favorable market conditions to win pay increases, organize new units. Modern
Healthcare, Crain Communications, Inc. Sherer, J. (1998, March 20). Kaiser’s
labor pains. Hospitals & Health Networks, 72(8), 30-32.
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