SEIU's Bizarre Nurse-busting Victory Lap (4.00 / 4)

For those who wonder, this is SEIU taking a bow for their role in busting the CNA out of a Fresno hospital.  They ran a nasty campaign, that included this mailer ("Why is CNA spending so much of members' money outside of California??"), as well as multiple phone calls urging nurses to vote no, and the home visits that have been discussed elsewhere.

The RNs at St. Agnes always knew that this would be an uphill battle, because they are in perhaps the most conservative area of California, at a hospital that lost an election in the past.  But they--the nurse leadership at the hospital--decided it was right to fight for their voice and their profession, despite the steep odds.  This decision-making process stands in contrast to the odious Ohio example, where some RN leaders at the facility did not even know an election was being called, because it was set up in a backroom deal between Andy Stern and Catholic Healthcare, that led to the employer itself actually calling an election for worker representation.  For more on this autocratic decision-making style, see yesterday's Washington Post.

Let the irony be noted of Andy Stern's SEIU calling for nurse unity while engaged in an unprecedented national triple raid, attempting to take over the dissident SEIU-UHW local, as well as major portions of the progressive California and New York nurse unions.

Join the California Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee in the fight for guaranteed healthcare on the single-payer model at www.GuaranteedHealthcare.org/blog

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by: California Nurses Shum @ Tue May 27, 2008 at 19:24:16 PM CDT

CNA is blaming SEIU for its own shortfalls (0.00 / 0)

This was the second failed attempt by CNA to organize the Saint Agnes RNs. By a vote of 452 to 327, the nurses sent a clear message they didn't want CNA.

Shum fails to mention that it was CNA who declared war on SEIU. http://latimesblogs.latimes.co...

In March, the CNA, joined by the New York State Nurses Association, waged an aggressive "vote no" campaign in Ohio, forcing the cancellation of union elections for 8,300 nurses and hospital workers in nine hospitals. This came after years of attempts by CNA to raid or intervene in SEIU and other unions' organizing drives in Nevada, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and other states.  

Once it was clear that our members--and the high standards they've fought hard to achieve--were under relentless attack, SEIU began to send mailers to nurses across California to educate them about CNA's divisive tactics.  But our mailers are distinctly different than the ones CNA is sending to SEIU members--their literature contains decertification cards.

We did not create this situation and would prefer to use our resources to build strength to make real gains for nurses and patients.

We want the war to stop. Unfortunately, Rose Ann DeMoro and CNA's allies have made it clear that they do not.

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by: klbackus @ Tue May 27, 2008 at 22:09:47 PM CDT

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OHIO CHP Bosses Cancelled the ELECTION! (0.00 / 0)

Deal or no deal..they didn't want your union or any union. Are you claiming CNA/NNOC and NYSNA forced the CHP bosses to cancel the election? WOW, so they're more powerful than your sweetheart deal. Those bosses are SO fickle, aren't they?

Speaking of using your resources for education, what about those busloads of SEIU goons who pounded and forced their way into the peaceful gathering of the LABORNOTES educators convention in Dearborn, Michigan? Just another example of why SEIU is the wrong union for nurses. Brute force, smashing, breaking, entering, pushing, shoving, and shouting does not create a good learning environment. Fear, intimidation, and oppression are the hallmarks of abusers, not union organizers.

http://seiuvoice.org/article.p...

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by: RN4MERCY @ Thu May 29, 2008 at 23:52:00 PM CDT

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CNA/NNOC differs from SEIU partnership deals with employers. (4.00 / 3)

As a working bedside nurse I am sick to death of the presumptive inference that I am a piece of union chattel, to be given to the biggest union, with the loudest, most obnoxious voice.  I have been reading SEIU comments about CNA/NNOC for several months regarding their accusations of raiding.  Since when is providing bedside nurses with accurate information considered raiding, unless one supports the opinion that nurses are union chattel.

In Ohio the EMPLOYER, ie corporate health care chain, filed for the NLRB election.  The rules were clearly stated, by SEIU and the employer, that NO discussion was allowed.  SEIU provided not a single signed union card for the Ohio election.  SEIUs Ohio deal barred campaigning by the union. SEIU signs agreements that offer no protections for RN patient advocacy rights.  As a working, bedside RN of 31 years that is what I do. I advocate for my patients daily.  I provided empathetic, educated, competent care, using highly skilled critical thinking abilities. I work in an ICU/CCU.  Many times there is no one to advocate for my patients but me.  

Preagreed, SEIU/employer contracts give away worker rights, and patients' rights.  Ask an SEIU represented, skilled nursing facility CNA how often they feel free to advocate for their patients' safety.  Explain whistle blower protection, and ask what are their thoughts on such a law. Does their state have such a law?  In the research I have done concerning the most effect way to advocate for the patients on whom I practice nursing, I have found a predominantly female union that is as passionate about those rights as I.

Union/Corporate Partnership is an oxymoron.  Union/Corporatae Partnerships that bar discussion.................the working person better do some serious thinking about that one.  Union democracy is built on open, honest discussion, which builds support for the common good. CNA/NNOC will represent nurses because nurses want what is best for their patients.  For those nurses who work as organizers I ask, when was the last time you took care of a patient?  An excellent depiction of the issues for which CNA/NNOC stands can be found at www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05092008/watch.html

The latest federal legislation to support the worker is the bipartisan Employee Free Choice Act, EFCA, introduced by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D) and Peter King (R).  This provides certification of a union on the Basis of Majority Sign-Up. It requires employees to have a majority of signed cards designating a specific union as representitive. It is the voice of the workers, not a prearranged deal, or union/corporate partnership.  The real issue is not about union raiding, it is about education.  Nurses will not be silenced because a union or corporation tells them there will be no discussion.  Nurses are not chattel. Nurses will support a union that provides the education and tools necessary to care and advocate for their patients.  When having a discussion with a nurse concerning these issues, one should inquire if that nurse works at the bedside.  Bedside nurses see patient advocacy as a major priority.  CNA/NNOC provides the tools.  

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by: katnurseadvocate @ Wed May 28, 2008 at 00:28:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're right--nurses know best (0.00 / 0)

Hear the Ohio nurses talk about their campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

For those that don't view the video, here are the facts about the agreement between CHP and SEIU. After three years calling for a free and fair election, CHP and the union agreed to election procedures that called for:
* Equal access to information from both union and management representatives;
* No negative campaigning or pressure tactics;
* After SEIU demanded voluntary recognition based on majority support among workers, CHP responded by demanding an election and filing an election with the NLRB;
* No restrictions on workers' rights. Workers could--and did--continue to talk amongst themselves about the union.
*There was no pre-negotiated collective bargaining agreement or no-strike clause.

Have a little faith in the CHP nurses. This election agreement was their chance, as nurse advocates--not chattel, to freely decide for themselves what was in the best interest of their families and their patients.

I'm glad you brought up EFCA. SEIU is in strong support of this legislation, as is Change to Win and the AFL-CIO. That's why we're working tirelessly to help elect a new president who may actually sign EFCA into law. And that's why we need to work together, not against each other, to make it happen.

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by: klbackus @ Wed May 28, 2008 at 09:00:08 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

You say you had majority support in Ohio (4.00 / 1)

 "After SEIU demanded voluntary recognition based on majority support among workers, CHP responded by demanding an election and filing an election with the NLRB; "

Had that really been the case, you should have carded them and had a vote.

But you had the EMPLOYER pull out because you knew you did not have the support to win.

You blame a handful of RNs who went to Ohio and educated nurses about what a real union (NNOC) is supposed to do for patients and nurses.

Oh, and we do trust the Ohio nurses. They rejected SEIU.

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by: Ludlow @ Wed May 28, 2008 at 23:14:23 PM CDT

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a 4th SEIU union busting raid... (4.00 / 1)

Broad Coalition Supports Puerto Rico's Independent Union News Conference - Wednesday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m.

NEW YORK, May 28 PRNewswire -- A broad coalition of activists will gather Wednesday, May 28 in New York City to express support for Puerto Rico's embattled teachers and schoolchildren, to protest the decision of SEIU's
leadership to launch an attack on the existing teachers union and to exhort SEIU to cease this activity.

for full news release see

http://www.earthtimes.org/arti...

the hypocrisy of SEIU is truly amazing!

 

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by: aje @ Wed May 28, 2008 at 11:31:47 AM CDT

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