Facts About Union Organizing

Unionization has long-term implications. Once a workplace is unionized, employees can’t simply opt out. Here’s what the union is not telling you:

• You must follow the negotiated contract, even if it means paying dues or losing certain benefits.
• Removing a union is a lengthy and difficult process.
• You must wait at least one year before trying to remove it.
• If a contract is in place, you may have to wait up to three years.
• Missing the filing window could mean another three-year wait.

Make sure you understand what you’re signing because once you do, it could be years before you can change it.

If you were unionized, nurses in the bargaining unit would be required to pay dues, often exceeding $2,000 per year. Over the life of a typical three-year contract, these dues can add up to over $6,000.

This is due to a provision known as a “union security” clause. This clause requires represented nurses to pay dues or fees to keep their jobs. It is non-negotiable and, if included in a contract, the union can require the employer to terminate anyone who does not pay union dues.

Ask yourself: Is it really worth paying NNU and giving up a portion of your paycheck to keep your job?

Union contracts are often promoted as fair and equitable. In reality, they can make it harder for leaders to recognize and reward exceptional performers. A one-size-fits-all contract means everyone is treated the same, whether you go above and beyond for your patients or do the bare minimum.

The problem is that union priorities don’t always align with the priorities of nurses, patients, or the hospital. For example:

• Seniority over skill: Advancement and scheduling decisions are often based on years worked, not expertise or performance.

• Protecting poor performers: The grievance and arbitration process makes it difficult to address performance issues that affect patient safety, teamwork, and morale.

• Uniform raises: Pay increases are determined by a union contract and are the same for everyone, regardless of individual effort or contribution, leaving exceptional performers undervalued.

• Accountability: Union contracts often limit accountability, which could put patient care at risk.

Rather than recognizing and rewarding merit, hard work, and skill, unions often create a system that treats everyone the same, regardless of effort or performance.

Unions often mislead nurses to gain their support. Signing or not signing a card is a personal decision. Even if you signed a union card, you still have the right to withdraw it.

Remember, you’re not alone. Many nurses later realize that signing a card isn’t in their best interest.

The information below can be copied and pasted into an email to request the revocation of an authorization card.

To: clanham@nationalnursesunited.org

Mid-Atlantic Region / NNU

Silver Spring

8455 Colesville Rd, Suite 1100

Silver Spring, MD 20910

I am revoking my authorization for NNU to represent me for the purposes of collective bargaining. Please return my authorization card to the address below. Additionally, please remove my name from future NNU outreach efforts and do not sell, rent, or otherwise share my personal information with any other labor union or organization.

Your Name: [insert name]

Hospital Name: [insert hospital name]

Your Email or Phone Number: [insert contact information]

At MedStar Health, we value our relationships and want all our nurses to feel supported in their work experience.

Need coverage or a change to your schedule?
Together, we can flex to what works.

Looking for the next step in your career?
Together, we can look for growth opportunities.

Looking for a leader to lean on, or need extra support?
Together, we can tackle anything.

“Together” is kind of our thing.
Let’s continue to work together to make meaningful change.

A labor contract could change your working relationships and stop your leader from stepping in to help with responsibilities, even in dire situations.

Another potential downside is the inflexibility that labor contracts impose, which can hinder career advancement, block out-of-cycle pay increases, restrict scheduling, and compromise work-life balance.

For many nurses, paying for a contract that could take away things they enjoy about their job and restrict their growth, both financially and professionally, just doesn’t make sense.