Benefits are numerous but the key ones are: the ability to negotiate with our employer over wages, working conditions, and benefits. Once we have a voice we can ensure that wages are commensurate with those of other nationally recognized university hospitals. We can negotiate to improve and protect our health insurance, retirement benefits, and other compensation to help recruit and retain RNs. Other benefits include securing safe staffing as well as having the ability to advocate for our patients without fear of retaliation.
NNOC/NNU is the most powerful and largest RN union in the country devoted to advancing staff RN and patients’ interest at our hospital.
Organizing to join NNOC/NNU is our federally protected right. It is illegal for nurses to be retaliated against for organizing. However, JHH management has hired anti-union consultants to mount a campaign to make us think we will get in trouble for campaigning. It is a full blown campaign of ‘carrots or enticements’ and ‘sticks or fear mongering.’ It is important for us to know our rights and push back effectively on the anti union campaign. Please review the Navigating through an Anti-Union Campaign booklet for more detailed information.
JHH RNs have to partake in an election administered by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and win by a majority (50%+1 of all eligible ballots cast). Participation rates in such votes are typically very high – usually 85% to 95%. Therefore, we have to build a strong network throughout the hospital of RNs that can mobilize a solid majority to vote YES in the election. Once we have a strong majority, we will circulate cards needed to demonstrate to the NLRB that we have enough support to form a union. Once we submit cards to the NLRB they will conduct a secret ballot election at the hospital.
All NNOC/NNU facilities have their own union leadership from each respective facility. The end product of a successful campaign means that we gain a democratic union with the legal right to sit down as equals with management and negotiate over wages, working conditions and benefits. Additionally, we will elect our own RN leadership at JHH. For more in-depth information, please review NNOC/NNU 101.
We have garnered enough support to successfully trigger the election and win it soon. For details, please talk to your fellow RN colleagues privately or call 831-227-3688 for private consultation.
