The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will hold a secret ballot, in-person election in which eligible nurses will vote whether or not to become unionized by National Nurses Organizing Committee / National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).
Transportation Reimbursement Details
Does MedStar Health Franklin Square Medical Center cover transportation costs to and from voting?
Yes! Franklin Square will reimburse your round-trip travel costs to the hospital, including:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)*
- Auto mileage*
- Public transportation
* Rideshares will be reimbursed for trips to and from your home address on record using the standard Uber or Lyft option. Mileage is reimbursed at the current IRS standard rate of 76¢/mile.
How do I qualify?
To qualify for travel reimbursement, you can’t be scheduled to work on either voting day: Wednesday, October 14, or Thursday, October 15.
How does the reimbursement process work?
Simply give your proof of travel and/or receipts to your leader to be reimbursed.
Election Details
Voting Location
Kotzen Auditorium
9000 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore, MD 21237
9000 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore, MD 21237
Voting Dates
Wednesday, October 14Thursday, October 15
Voting Times
6 – 8 a.m.
2 – 4 p.m.
6 – 8 p.m.
2 – 4 p.m.
6 – 8 p.m.
5 Facts About Voting
Fact 1
Your ballot is secret. Neither MedStar nor the union will know how you voted. No one will know how you vote unless you choose to tell them.
Fact 2
You do not need to sign any union documents to vote. If you are eligible to vote, you can vote in person on election days. You do not need to sign an NNU document to cast your ballot.
Fact 3
Even if you signed a union authorization card, you can still vote “no.” Signing a card does not mean you have to support NNU, and no one will know if you change your mind.
Fact 4
Your vote is your voice. Not voting allows those who do vote to determine the election.
Fact 5
Employers are required to give you the facts. By law, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requires employers to provide employees with factual information about union elections. The NLRB also holds employers to a higher standard than unions. In fact, according to the NLRB, unions can:
“Issue misleading campaign propaganda’” because the NLRB does not think employees are ‘naive’ enough to believe all that they are told in the course of a union election campaign.”1
We are committed to providing accurate, factual information so you can make your own informed decision and ensure your voice is heard.
1 Shopping Kart Food Market, Inc., 228 NLRB 1311
Voting FAQs
Will anyone know how I vote?
No. This is a secret-ballot election. Neither MedStar nor the union will know how you voted. No one will know how you vote unless you choose to tell them.
If I signed an authorization card, does that count as my vote?
No. Signing a card does not mean you have to support NNU, and no one will know if you change your mind. The only thing that will count toward the outcome is your vote in the election on October 14 and 15.
Can I vote “no” even if I signed an authorization card?
Yes. You can vote “no” even if you signed a union authorization card.
How do I cast my ballot?
When you arrive at Kotzen Auditorium, identify yourself to the NLRB agent. They will provide your secret ballot. Mark an “X” in the square of your choice, fold your ballot, and deposit it into the ballot box. Agents will be available in the election room if you have questions.
Are there any absentee or mail-in ballots?
No. Voting must be done in person on October 14 or October 15.
How is the election determined?
A simple majority of those who actually vote will determine the election result. The outcome affects all associates in the bargaining unit, regardless of whether they voted.
Who will conduct the election?
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a federal agency, will oversee and conduct the in-person, secret-ballot election. Observers selected by both the employer and the union will also be present at the voting site.
The observers are there to help ensure the election is conducted appropriately and fairly and that all election rules are followed. Neither the NLRB representative nor the observers will see how associates vote.
What if I have additional questions about the election, voting, or unionization?
If you have any questions, please reach out to your leader. Your leader is here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
What happens if I don’t vote?
If you don’t vote, you let others decide the outcome for you. Make your voice heard on October 14 and 15 by exercising your right to vote.
If we vote “yes” for the union, can we just try it out and remove it if we don’t like it?
No. You can’t simply “try out” a union. Decertification, the process employees can use to remove a union as their representative, involves a separate NLRB process that is often difficult and lengthy.
Your vote matters!
Ask a question about the election
Have a question about the election or voting? Let us know. All submissions are anonymous.
Calculate Your NNU Union Dues
To determine your dues amount, select whether you work more than 52 hours per month or 52 hours or fewer per month. Then, enter your base hourly rate below.
Here’s how much NNU charges in dues:
- For full-time RNs, dues are 2.2x your base hourly rate, up to $179.76 per month (or, up to $2,157.12 per year)
- For part-time/per diem RNs (paid for 52 hours per month or fewer), dues are 1.1x your base hourly rate, up to $89.88 per month (or, up to $1,078.56 per year)
- When your base rate goes up, so does the amount you pay in union dues