Unionized Facility in Nursing
Pros of a Unionized Facility
Benefits and wages: Unionization in nursing normally leads to increase in benefits and wages in the workplace. This should consequently lead to increase or improvement in the quality of life since workers have increased disposable income to dedicate to their leisure activities (Lampert, 2013). Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 93% of employees are able to access retirement benefits compared to 64% of non-union counterparts.
Job security: According to Keller (2012),non-union workers are normally hired “at will”, implying that they can be fired at any time for no reason, although an employer can not just fire a worker for discrimination based on religion, age, race, and the like. However, for a unionized facility, a worker can not just be terminated without proper reason; the worker has to go through grievance procedures and even arbitration.
Strength in numbers: A unionized facility gives workers more power as one cohesive group than when acting individually. According to Helen (2012), the muscle of collective action makes workers gain what they desire in the workplace. Collective bargaining enables employees to negotiate wages, safety issues, health, and working conditions through their unions.
Cons for a Unionized Facility
Initiation fees and union dues: The dues may range from $300 to hundreds of dollars per year, thus offsetting higher wages. According to Lampert (2013), dues enable the union to conduct union businesses and pay for official salaries, but most of the time, the members complain about the paid amount, how it is spent, and how it is allocated between local and national unions.
Loss of autonomy: Unionization requires that a union member sacrifices his individuality for the group. One may disagree with the decisions of the union, but they bind him or her (Helen, 2012).
Less collaborative working environment: Research shows that unionized workers normally experience a sense of less trust and partnership with their supervisors, with most employees saying that the supervisors treat them as if they are the boss rather than their partner. This situation is opposite to that for the non-unionized workers. According to Keller (2012), a less collaborative working environment has a negative impact on the operations of an organization.
References
Helen M. (2012). To Join or Not to Join a Nursing Union. Retrieved from
http://www.nursetogether.com/to-join-or-not-to-join-a-nursing-unionKeller L. (2012). The Pros and Cons of Joining a Labor Union. Retrieved from
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/04/10/pros-and-cons-joining-labor-union/Lampert L. (2013). Nurse Labor Unions: Do They Have A Place in Healthcare? Retrieved from
http://www.mightynurse.com/nurse-labor-unions-stories/
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of working in a unionized nursing facility?
Unionized nursing facilities often provide higher wages, improved benefits, job security, and collective bargaining power, enhancing overall job satisfaction and security for employees.
How does unionization affect job security in nursing?
Unionized nurses have more job security as they cannot be fired without a valid reason, and they can go through grievance procedures or arbitration to resolve disputes.
What are the drawbacks of unionized nursing facilities?
Some cons include initiation fees and union dues, loss of individual autonomy, and a potentially less collaborative working environment with supervisors compared to non-unionized workplaces.
How does unionization impact the working relationship between nurses and supervisors?
In unionized facilities, nurses often feel less trust and partnership with supervisors, as there is a more adversarial relationship, unlike in non-unionized workplaces where collaboration tends to be more prominent.