LA Times: Unionized nurses flex their muscle

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nurses11sep11,0,3175637.story

Caregivers direct their newfound clout at the political process as well as working conditions.
By Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 11, 2007
Nurses aren't just taking orders anymore.

From intensive care wards to the halls of Congress, they're exerting growing influence over hospital practices and patient treatment. With the clout they've gained through unionization, they've raised their incomes and their profession's profile.



Now they're lobbying for a radical change to the country's healthcare system, starting in California.

On Monday, hundreds of members of the California Nurses Assn. marched on the Capitol in Sacramento and pledged to continue to campaign for universal healthcare coverage.


CAREGIVERS UNITE: Registered nurses, represented by SEIU 121RN, go on strike and rally in front of the hospital in Pomona. In addition to nurse to patient ratios, nurses are demanding wages and benefits that are similar to surrounding hospitals in order to retain the most experienced and talented providers.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would call a special session of the Legislature to write a law to significantly expand coverage in the state -- though not by nearly enough to satisfy the nurses union.

For Rose Ann DeMoro, the union's executive director, the goal is to end what she called the "pay-or-die system" once and for all.

FULL story at link.

My entire working career has supported the health care industry. Thirty something years of that has taught me one thing. The quality of care is directly related to the quality of the nursing staff. If it takes union organization to make sure that happens, I'm all for it. My mother was a nurse back in the 70's and rejected representation when given the chance. It may have been a good choice for them (they were treated really well by the hospital then), but I have seen over the years how it has affected the ability of workers in any industry to get fair treatment or a decent wage.
Most of the hospitals I dealt with after she retired have been non-union, the difference in quality of service couldn't be more obvious. The hospital she worked for has gone downhill since then but held it's ground because of the dedication of the staff. They deal with the slights of their value and do the job because of their respect for the job they do.

I never felt the need for union representation, but I guess that's because I could sell myself pretty well and IBEW and CWA hadn't figured out they could represent me. Who knows how much better off I'd be that had happened!

I have to say that your post's are pretty much some that I always read. Part of my working career has forced me to deal with a lot of self-serving and corrupt union officials, but the last few years I've learned that the problem wasn't unions, but membership that didn't hold their leaders responsible.

Thanks for all you do,