Our co-workers are giving us their thoughts about unionization at Saint Francis. The comments below came to us via the website or were written on signed ENUSF Declaration Cards. Comments are posted only if the co-worker grants us permission to do so.
From a Rad Tech - I was in a union at a department store in my town and all I did was waste money on dues. Got no positive reactions. Waste of dollars.
From a CT Tech - I'm opposed to the union because the communication I have with my department manager isn't something I'd like to compromise at this time.
From a Radiology Staff Tech - I prefer to have the freedom to negotiate independently.
From an RN - I have lost trust in statements made by SEIU.
From an RN - Hospital management has represented our staff fairly and I have my own voice to convey my wants and needs.
From a Lab employee - I do not feel this organization [SEIU] can provide any better compensation package. As industry standards go, Tenet has been fair in my opinion in its healthcare, vacation, and workplace practices. I do not see any need to bring a 3rd party into this relationship. Currently I feel that I have the freedom to address any issue with management and I do believe that this freedom will be removed with the introduction of a "union middleman." I believe we would lose, not gain in the long run and have to pay dues on top of that. A union will only turn this place into Us vs Them, not a One for All environment.
From a CNA - I was misinformed about signing the union card. NO!
From an RN - I do not want any part of a union.
From an RN - I have always appreciated the way this hospital has had a "family" type atmosphere. I wouldn't want anything to come between me and my co-workers. I have not ever had a problem with managers or administration. I feel like they have always tried to help me to do the job I was called to do.
From an RN - I don't need anyone to tell me I can work. I am a nurse. There is going to be a nursing shortge for a long time. Only murses can solve that. NOT THE SEIU!
From a Pharm Tech - We should not be charged to come to work. We are here to make money.
From a CVT - I have a voice of my own. I don't need a union representative to try to interpret what I have to say.
From a Medical Transcriptionist - I already don't like what I see in the prospect of a union doing [will do] to our hospital. They have already disturbed our peace and polarized us. A hospital is no place for a union. Unions are not interested in patient care or employee welfare. They are only interested in filling their pockets with my hard-earned wages. I don't see how anybody here can fall for this.
From an RN - Saint Francis Hospital is an excellent hospital and Tenet has been more than fair, competitive, and generous. This union will lower our standard of care. We need to stay the "best of the best"!
From an RN - I believe in patients first!
From an RN - I resent union organizers coming to SFH and sowing seeds of dissension among our employees.
From an RN - I am ABSOLUTELY opposed to any union representation of any kind. I do not consider it at all professional that nurses be in a position to desert their patients for a union ordered strike. Nor do I think any union can get any concessions a company is not willing to give. We are able to freely express questions and concerns to administration now, without third party influence. Finally, I will consider any attempt to collect union dues from me as THEFT of my hard earned salary.
From an RN - I lived in a closed campus state where every RN belonged to a union, like it or not. In 1984, I graduated with my RN degree at the same time the RN unions went out on strike. There were no graduate RN positions available and there were over 3,000 of us who took boards that year. But there was no where to work as a graduate RN. The hospital where I worked [in another position] never recovered from the strike and, try as they did, ended up closing. The unions make big promises for "safe staffing". Well, the unions can't clone nurses so the only thing they can try to do is force hospitals to limit the number of beds available to admit patients. This means a decrease in income for the hospital and this will eventually trickle down to the nurses in the way of benefits, pay, etc. because it's a business too and the hospital has to make a profit. [We have problems but] unions aren't the answer. I support a non-union environment because I've experienced first hand the negative effects they can have. I also observed good, effective tams and friendships destroyed because of the union's decision to strike.
From an RN - I went into nursing to take care of patients. I could never imagine striking. I've worked in MD, NC and VA, and Saint Francis is the best hospital in which I've had the pleasure of working. The pay is fair, they recognize their staff and are constantly celebrating and rewarding our positive results. I worked as agency before deciding on a hospital. I chose Saint Francis and have never looked back.
From an RN - I am an RN who came back to SFH after a few years of working at another local hospital. I am extremely happy to be back with SFH employees and friends and I don't want to see any of them being laid off so that more nurses can be hired and paid more to improve the patient ratio. A raise would not matter to me. It means more to work with my wonderful friends and try my best to take care of my patients. The grass is not greener somewhere else. Please vote no to the union.
From an RN - I do not believe unions have any place in a healthcare facility! If I have a grievance, I believe our administration is open to hear it and respond to me personally.
From a CNA - I don't need a union to speak for me. I can speak for myself very well. I know how to go through the chain of command. If the union strikes, I don't want to walk a picket line. Who will be taking care of the patients? I don't think a union should be in a hospital. My decision - NO UNION
From a L&D Assistant - I do not want a union. They are rude, aggressive and sneaky.
From a Medical Staff Specialist - To my new and dear friends at SFH, I work part-time so I have not met as many of you as I would like. I am happy to be here with you. Like you, I have been aware of possible union organizing at SFH. I was interested so I went to the websites www.seiu.org and www.enusf.org. Have you? I have a working knowledge of union culture because I was a dues paying union member of IBEW1288 for over 20 years. My first dues were about $5 a month. Before I took early retirement, the dues were over $50 a month. Do the math. Consider what you could do with $600,000 to benefit employees at SFH every year. I saw no significant improvement of benefits/return on investment for the money [the union] collected. I did see personal issues from union management and company management become platforms and vendettas instead of core concerns like better and safer working conditions. ...After I retired, I was invited to a meeting at the union hall. [I was told] that city government was going to do away with my retirement. The union informed me that they would not represent union or management retirees, only dues paying members. ...From personal experience, I ask you to seriously ponder your commitments. I do not believe being a part of SEIU will promote SFH employees' needs.
From a Clinical Educator - As an educator I value knowledge. My goal is to ensure that all staff have accurate information on both sides of the union issue. Once educated make your decision. I believe SEIU is wrong for SFH. SEIU organizers have no healthcare background. Greta, the nurse from Florida, told me that there is "no nursing shortage". The 500,000 nurses currently not working in the U.S. will come back to work once we have a union." I don't believe this. Do you? I have worked at BMH, Methodist, VAMC and Delta Medical Center. None of these hospitals compare to the caring and valued way I am treated at SFH.
From a Pharmacist - I am capable of speaking for myself and I don't need/want to have money taken out of my hard earned paycheck to have someone speak for me.
From a Nurse Tech - I came to Saint Francis for so many reasons - none of which was the hope of a union! I enjoy the family atmosphere we have here as well as the benefits and I'm worried all of that will change if a union is here.
From an EKG Tech - I am pleased with my workplace and our hospital.
From a Medical Technologist - We have worked so hard at Saint Francis to become a Target 100 5 Star hospital. Why would we allow anyone to come in our hospital and take away that hard earned status. We all have worked and have come together to make Saint Francis the great hospital it is today. These union people are trying to put wedges between us, separate the workers from the managers. The hospital will fall apart if this happens. We have done well for 33 years. That should speak for itself.
From an RN- We don't need this union. I love my job and the people including management.
From an RN -SEIU serves no purpose at Saint Francis Hospital. There is nothing that SEIU can do for us that Saint Francis is not already doing, except by taking part of the raise that I earned for their own profit. No thank you, SEIU.
From a Clinical Coordinator - Unions do not belong in healthcare. We are here to take care of our patients. I've been here for 18 years and I love things "the way they are!"
From a CNA - I don't think we need a union at Saint Francis. I personally do not need anyone speaking for me. I have no problem with the way our hospital is now. No union! No union! No union!
From a Nurse Tech - I am opposed to SEIU because I feel that they don't have sufficient knowledge about the healthcare field.
From a Radiography Technologist - We need our time off and our benefits and we've worked for them and should be able to keep them. If the union strikes, you don't get paid. That's a bunch of mess."
From an Educator - This activity makes me very sad! SFH is no utopia but we have many good things going on here, especially enthusiastic leadership, meaningful recognition and a strong vision.
From a RN - We have a voice and we can use it FREE!
From an Educator - No Way! Go Away!
From an Educator - I feel that a union is not needed at Saint Francis. I worry about the caliber of leadership at SEIU. There are sources within Saint Francis to resolve any issue without outside interference.
From a Coordinator - Everything the union promises is already better at SFH. If the union comes in, the only winners will be the union and its bank account. On the other hand, we stand to lose our independence, our voice and our hospital.
From a RN - I have faith in my management that my issues and concerns will be dealt with in the best interests of our staff and patients.
From a CNA - I love my job at SFH (#1). I have been working here since 1988. My #1 CEO is fair. I think he knows what he is doing. If I have a problem, I will go to my manager. I do not need nobody to talk for me. Thanks but no thanks. We don't need a union here!
From a Pharmacist - I do not wish to join any union, nor do I want any people representing me. No, no, no!
From an RN - I don't need representation from someone who knows nothing about health care., Furthermore, there is no better work environment that what we already have at Saint Francis.
From a Clinical Lab Scientist - I have seen many changes over the years. the best being the building of a sense of ownership through Target 100. Our employees are friendly, dedicated and a great team. We are moving in the right directions without outside help.
From an RN - I don't need someone to speak for me. I can speak for myself. I don't need someone to tell me when I can take vacation or a day off. I can negotiate my own schedule.
From a Mammo Tech - No Union
From a Clinical Lab Scientist - I can speak for my self far better than a stranger can. I do not want a stranger bartering away something I have to gain something I might not need or want.
From a RN - I would like to keep the voice that I have right now!
From a CNA - I made an error in judgment about the SEIU. They are not truthful in their dealings or speaking. I am saying effective 3/4/08 I am Non-Union
From a Med Tech - I have been here at Saint Francis for a long time and have seen my co-workers leave and come back. There are problems in medicine everywhere, not just here. We don't need "Mob Rule". Say no to "Mob Rule".
From a Central Coordinator - No Way! No How!
