Management will try to stop us from having a voice, but we are stronger together.
Right now, management controls all the money and power for themselves. Once we form our union, management will have to share decision-making with nurses. This is a difficult change for management to accept, so often they will try to stop us from forming our union. We must stay strong and unified, and we will win a voice for better pay, improved conditions, stronger benefits, and a voice in staffing and patient care.
“Union membership with 1199SEIU gives you a seat at the table with management to ensure a safe work environment, fair wages and affordable healthcare.”
— Linda O’Connor, RN (Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY)
WHEN THEY TRY TO STOP US FROM HAVING A VOICE, MANAGEMENT WILL:
Talk about dues and anything else to take our minds off our low wages, poor benefits and unfair treatment. But we know dues are 2% of our base wages (not including OT or differentials). We only start paying dues after we finish negotiating and ratify our first contract with guaranteed improvements.
Make promises, ask for a second chance and maybe even improve our benefits. But any improvements management makes can be stripped away unless we win our union and will still leave us far behind what 1199 members have guaranteed.
Tell us forming our union won’t make a difference. But the members of 1199 have proven time and time again that with a united voice, we can and will win better jobs and better care for our patients. And we know there’s a huge difference between what we have in our facility and what 1199 members have guaranteed.
Time and time again, 1199SEIU RNs have shown that when we stand together in courage and unity, management will listen.
IS OUR EMPLOYER BREAKING THE LAW?
IT IS ILLEGAL to tell employees that the institution will fire or punish them if they engage in union activity.
IT IS ILLEGAL to layoff or discharge any employee for union activity.
IT IS ILLEGAL to grant employees wage increases or special concessions in order to keep the union out.
IT IS ILLEGAL to bar employees from talking about the union during nonworking hours.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees about confidential union matters, meetings, etc.
IT IS ILLEGAL to by the nature of the work assignment, create conditions intended to get rid of an employee because of their union activity.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees about the union or union representative.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees how they intend to vote.
IT IS ILLEGAL to ask employees whether or not they belong to a union or have signed up for a union.
IT IS ILLEGAL to threaten workers or coerce them in an attempt to influence their vote.
IT IS ILLEGAL to tell employees that existing benefits will be discontinued if the institution is unionized.
IT IS ILLEGAL to say unionization will force the employer to layoff workers.
IT IS ILLEGAL to say unionization will take away vacations or other benefits and privileges presently in effect.
IT IS ILLEGAL to promise employees promotions, raises or other benefits if they get out of the union.
Any of the above acts are against the law and constitutes a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. We as RN professionals should report these acts, if committed, to our Union representative.
It is our legally protected right to speak out publicly and build support for our union. We can talk about our union and exchange information anywhere, anytime, as long as it does not interfere with patient care. It is illegal for an employer or supervisor to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees seeking to organize or join a union.
To learn more about making improvements and winning our voice at Guthrie Lourdes, contact: