subject: Healthcare Unions Target Healthcare Companies [print this page] The health care industry has seen record growth over the years. The need for quality healthcare workers has increased dramatically due to the high demand quality care. Health care companies such as hospitals, assisted and independent living facilities, and other senior care organizations are hiring at a high volume in order to keep up with the demand. As a result, labor unions such as Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and National Nurses United among others have spent considerable time and money in their attempts to organize this industry.
After the National Labor Relations Board made their ruling in the Specialty Health Care case, union organizing in the health care industry has never been easier.
The life of a healthcare worker is tough. The hours are long, tremendous stress is put on their bodies, patients can be extremely difficult not to mention the fact that the rate of pay is rarely commensurate with the stress that comes with the job.
I remember a wonderful caregiver once telling me, "I love being a nurse. I believe in what I do and I know I provide quality care to my patients. But a lot of time I'm left asking the question 'Who's caring for the caretaker?'" Labor unions, especially healthcare unions, will go out of their way to convince employees that voting for the union will provide this care for them. They will also tell them half truths such as "voting for a union will get you more money and better benefits." Although this is not true, it never fails that employees will fall for this type of manipulation out of a hope that their working conditions will improve.
It is so critically important that healthcare organizations make the necessary investments to really get to know their employees. Go out of your way to understand what it's like for the nurse that has just finished working a double shift. Understand what it is like for the housekeeper who has not received any type of recognition during her time with the company, despite all of her hard work. The employees are not looking to pay dues to a union...they are looking for respect and compassion from the organizations that they have given their commitment to.
