We are committed to Safe Staffing, Patient Care & The Community of Quincy
United Nurses
Of Blessing Hospital
✅ The Basics
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What is a union? A group of employees who bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
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Why form a union? It gives nurses an equal seat at the table to negotiate safe staffing, improved wages and benefits, fair working conditions, scheduling, and much more—so we can provide the best patient care possible.
✅ The Pinocchio Effect - The Anti-Union Campaign
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Anti-Union Campaigns: What to Expect
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When workers begin organizing, most companies launch expensive anti-union campaigns using fear, confusion, and misinformation. They hire union-busting consultants or law firms to discourage unionization. The anti-union lies grow like Pinocchio's nose!
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"Employers spend more the $400 million per year on "union-avoidance" consultants...so that begs the question: if unions were really bad for workers, why would so many companies invest so heavily in fighting them?"
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✅ The Process
1️⃣ Authorization Cards
Signing a card is not a vote—it simply says: “Yes, I want the chance to vote on union representation.”
2️⃣ NLRB Election
When a majority sign cards, the National Labor Relations Board schedules a secret-ballot election.
A majority of those voting must choose YES for the union to be certified.
3️⃣ Bargaining a Contract
After a successful vote, nurses elect a bargaining committee to negotiate a first contract.
Nothing changes until nurses ratify a contract.
✅ Dues & Costs
💵 Key Points
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No dues are paid until a first contract is approved.
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Dues fund local operations and professional representation.
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Negotiated improvements in wages, staffing, and benefits greatly outweigh the cost of dues.
✅ FICTION VS FACT
FICTION: “The hospital can take away what you have now.”
FACT: Federal law keeps current wages/benefits in place while bargaining occurs. Changes require a nurse-approved contract.
FICTION: “Unionizing will hurt patient care.”
FACT: Union hospitals often have safer staffing levels and better patient outcomes.
FICTION: “Management can punish union supporters.”
FACT: ILLEGAL. Federal law protects your right to organize.
FICTION: “You’ll lose scheduling flexibility.”
FACT: Scheduling is negotiable—nurses decide what goes into the contract.
✅ COMMON QUESTIONS
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Who negotiates?
A bargaining committee elected by their peers will be supported by IAM UNION professional negotiators. -
What can be negotiated?
Wages, scheduling, health insurance, retirement plans, training opportunities, and protective measures to be implemented to uphold nurse and patient safety during staffing shortages. -
What if I like things the way they are?
Your current pay and benefits remain the baseline.
Improvements must be approved by nurses before taking effect.