What are the benefits of membership?

One of our part time RNs was interested in becoming a member and asked what were the advantages to membership.  Part of the question involved an inquiry of whether we provide a reduced rated on the dues structure.  I thought the answer might answer some questions for other part timers as well as our full time RNs.

I was asked to make a follow up contact with you about becoming a member of the local.  Perhaps it would be best if I simply told you about some of the things we are doing or have done recently.  It would take far too much time to explain all the benefits that you currently enjoy that are the results of union activity going back to the 1930's.  The union is currently working on (translated it means bugging our Senators and Congressmen) getting part time RNs the same status as full times, that is - we are trying to get their "temporary" status changed to permanent - that would afford additional protections.  We've negotiated guaranteed Holiday pay schedules (pt RNs were routinely abused with this in the past).  We were able to push management into an agreement regarding mandatory OT problems which also addressed PT RNs suffering loss of wages in "OT-like" situations.  The local negotiated the first agreement in the VISN on this issue.  When it comes to scheduling problems, like certain flip backs (only eight hours between tours, yes, there is protection there, but many RNs don't realize them, particularly those who are not members.)   We are the source for information about the conditions you work under.  New managers frequently don't know your rights and the rules that govern your conditions of employment.  We couldn't even begin to enumerate the violations we have dealt with because of unknowing or uncaring supervisors.  When scheduling problems arise, we will sit down with the member and the supervisor and work out a legitimate solution.  Essentially we will negotiate a situation for our member if we can.  That type of representation is not required for non-members.  Our only obligation is to see the nurse's rights under the provision of the contract are not violated.  We use our direct line communications with service chiefs to influence benefits for first hand attention to our members' problems.  We try to personalize the representational process.  For our nonmembers, representation is limited to obligatory requirements.  For members, we utilize resources that are not covered under the contract and only come from many years of a developed network of managers, from first-line supervisors to the facility director.

When it comes to pro rating the dues, I would only ask you if you needed representation would you like the Union to prorate the service we provided?  We go the extra mile for all our members, often providing additional support in other than contractual issues.  Non-members will get what the law obligates us to provide them with.  The bulk of the dues paid every two weeks go to the National level to support lobbying activities in Washington, D.C. - of the remaining monies, some is provided to the National VA Council who represents us within the National union.  Our Sec/Treas. is also a Vice President on this council.  We have for the last twenty plus years been able to maintain this position on the council.  As a result of this effort our local enjoys some additional influences both nationally and locally.  Over the past several years, attrition has slowly affected our local and our desire is now to actively pursue membership growth.  We would like you to be part of that growth. I hope to hear from you soon.    GT

How does one employee enjoy a better deal over another employee?

A question posed to the local via e-mail had to do with differences in retirement benefits. The real answer is based in membership and the return for your investment (dues). Take a moment to read the Q and A below.

A: Unfair - you're absolutely correct. My best guess as to why? - the firefighters, police and in this case Air Traffic controllers too, are consistently made up of highly unionized groups. When you organize and provide the funds through dues, the unions can influence the political powers. The 1.7% was initiated through some Senator's or Congressman's office. No small group or for that fact large group of unorganized people can provide a politician with the votes and donations that persuade him/her to introduce legislation like that. It takes money and voting blocks. At our facility, 100% of the cops and firefighters are union members. They are currently trying to organize a VISN collective and unify all the firefighters and police at Lyons, East Orange, Montrose, Castle Point, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Northport into one representative group. That's organization that started at this facility. Nurse's membership at Northport has hovered around the 60% mark for years. This is almost twice the national average, but nowhere what you need in my estimation to drive the point home to the politicians that as a professional union we have the overwhelming support of those we represent. It the old adage - "United we stand, divided we fall" - membership is a driving force in the union's ability to represent and influence. Unfortunately, there are way too many nurses out there that just don't understand these basic principles.