Unionized Facility in Nursing

Name

Institution

Unionized Facility in Nursing

Pros for a Unionized Facility

Benefits and wages: Unionization in nursing normally leads to increase in benefits and wages in the workplace. This should consequently lead to increase or improvement in the quality of life since workers have increased disposable income to dedicate to their leisure activities (Lampert, 2013). Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 93% of employees are able to access retirement benefits compared to 64% of non-union counterparts.

Job security: According to Keller (2012),non-union workers are normally hired “at will”, implying that they can be fired at any time for no reason, although an employer can not just fire a worker for discrimination based on religion, age, race, and the like. However, for a unionized facility, a worker can not just be terminated without proper reason; the worker has to go through grievance procedures and even arbitration.

Strength in numbers: A unionized facility makes workers have power as one cohesive group than when acting individually. According to Helen (2012), the muscle of a collective action makes workers gain what they desire in the work place. Collective bargaining enables employees negotiate wages, safety issues, health, and working conditions through their unions.

Cons for a Unionized Facility

Initiation fees and union dues: The dues may range from $300 to hundreds of dollars per year, thus offsetting higher wages. According to Lampert (2013), dues enables the union conduct union businesses and pay for official’s salaries, but most the times the members complain about the paid amount, how it is spent, and how it is allocated between local and national union.

Loss of autonomy: Unionization requires that a union member sacrifices his individuality for the group. One may disagree with the decisions of the union but he or she is bound to them (Helen, 2012).

Less collaborative working environment: Research shows that unionized workers normally experience a sense of less trust and partnership with their supervisors, with most employees saying that the supervisors treat them as if they are the boss rather than their partner. This situation is opposite to that for the non-unionized workers. According to Keller (2012), a less collaborative working environment has a negative impact on the operations of an organization.

References

Helen M. (2012). To Join or Not to Join a Nursing Union. Retrieved from

http://www.nursetogether.com/to-join-or-not-to-join-a-nursing-unionKeller L. (2012). The Pros and Cons of Joining a Labor Union. Retrieved from

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/04/10/pros-and-cons-joining-labor-union/Lampert L. (2013). Nurse Labor Unions: Do They Have A Place in Healthcare? Retrieved from

http://www.mightynurse.com/nurse-labor-unions-stories/