Why Pro Union?

You have a voice

Nurses form unions to protect their rights, improve their working conditions, pay and benefits, and to give them security on the job. Union representation means having a voice, a way to say to your boss that the concerns of workers are every bit as important as the company's bottom line. And nurses today need a union voice more than they ever have, with hospitals giving nurses less and expecting more than ever before.

Better pay and wages

Better pay frequently tops the list of reasons to join a union. The median weekly earnings of union employees are 20% higher than the pay of non-union members, and some sources claim that unionized nurses earn $200-$400 more per week than non-unionized nurses.

Job security

Many non-union workers are subject to “at-will employment,” meaning they can be fired for any reason (or no reason), and have their wages and benefits cut at management’s discretion. By contrast, union contracts usually prohibit termination without cause and protect nurses’ wages and benefits. Contracts also stipulate guaranteed pay raises based on time spent on the job, so a union nurse never has to ask a manager for a raise.

Better working conditions

Nurses unions have long advocated for higher nurse-to-patient ratios, better safety rules and protocols, and against mandatory overtime. Several studies have shown that poor working conditions are driving nurses from the profession, with the biggest complaints being overwork, stress, and concern about disabling musculoskeletal injuries.
Many unions work to improve the laws that regulate hospitals and other healthcare facilities. These include laws that require employers to protect nurses from violence and harassment in the workplace, as well as efforts to create government-funded programs that support nursing education.

Representation for disciplinary actions

In the event you ever face disciplinary action, a union representative will act as your counsel to ensure that you’re treated fairly throughout the proceedings.

Process for addressing grievances

For many workers, their ability to address unfair treatment or poor management is such a convoluted political mess that many opt to take no action. Unions outline a specific process for addressing complaints or grievances that actually has a chance at a satisfactory resolution for both parties.