1. Job Security

Many non-union nurses are subject to “at-will employment,” meaning they can be fired for any reason or no reason at all and have their wages and benefits cut at management’s discretion. For most nurses, this is something that rarely happens, but in a non-union hospital, a nursing position is never 100% secure.

On the other hand, union contracts usually prohibit termination without cause and protect nurse wages and benefits. If an administrator wishes to fire a nurse, there must be documentation of the steps taken to remedy the situation and warnings given to the employee.

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2. Better Working Conditions

This is one of the biggest incentives for being represented by a nursing union. The union fights with the healthcare system to ensure safe nurse-to-patient ratios which must be followed; otherwise, nurses can bring a grievance to their union representative.

Union officials also work for better safety policies as well as against mandatory overtime or mandatory cancellation. A few of the biggest known factors that are contributing to the current nursing shortage is unsafe staffing, stress, and overwork. Unions help to offset this.

Currently, due to the ongoing violence against healthcare professionals in the workplace, there are numerous ongoing initiatives throughout the country to help combat the issue. Unions are supporting current legislation that is being developed to protect nurses from harm.

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3. Guaranteed Wages and Pay Increases

This is another large incentive for joining a nursing union. Union hospitals are known to have higher pay scales, regardless of the cost of living. The median weekly earnings of union employees are roughly 20% higher than the pay of non-union members.

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4. Seniority Advantages

In union hospitals, seniority matters. Nurses that have been employed for a significant amount of time will see additional benefits, such as fewer required holidays and weekends. This will vary greatly amongst hospitals and some unions do not emphasize seniority advantages.

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5. Education Reimbursement

While most hospitals will provide education reimbursement, it is not always guaranteed. Furthermore, it often can be at the discretion of a manager whether additional education is deemed appropriate or needed. Union members will have guaranteed access to education reimbursement.

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6. Better Benefits

Labor unions negotiate for benefits including healthcare, dental, and vision coverage on behalf of its members. For union members, there might be additional options available free of charge or at a lower premium. Furthermore, unions will work to secure guaranteed vacation time and ensure there is a process for requesting time off.

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7. Guaranteed Process for Grievances

Union members have the ability to file grievances against the employer if they feel that something in their contract is not being upheld. This can include unsafe working conditions or unsafe nurse-to-patient ratios. The union will fight for the employee to ensure this does not continue to happen. Unions outline a specific process for addressing complaints or grievances that actually has a chance at a satisfactory resolution for both parties.

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8. Ability to Strike

This is often seen as a con to belonging to a union, but it can be beneficial as well. If union representatives feel that the contract is not being upheld by the healthcare system, there is a process in place that allows healthcare workers to strike.

During this time, union nurses are not allowed to work and therefore are not paid. Hospitals will bring in temporary workers to fill the needs; however, this route is often avoided at all costs because it costs the hospital money and does not provide the standard of care that is expected.

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9. Legal Representation

In case a nurse is in breach of protocol and requires disciplinary action, a union representative will always be there to ensure that the employee is treated fairly. Unions often provide representation to address grievances when a nurse is mistreated — either physically or verbally — in the workplace so that their complaints reach the appropriate authorities.