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Having
the option of striking, and the support of other union members provides powerful
leverage at the negotiation table. However, strikes are a last resort, to be
considered only when employees agree their conditions are intolerable and the
employer is unwilling to rectify the situation. Wages lost during a
prolonged strike are unlikely to be recovered, so this step should be taken only
in extremely adverse situations.
Employees
make the decision to strike, or not strike, and when to end strikes.
UFCW
Constitution requires a 2/3 vote of employees represented by the contract for a
strike. The vote is by secret ballot.
Every
year, more than 1,500 contracts are negotiated by UFCW without strikes.
More
than 98% of all union contracts are negotiated without strikes.
By
law, health care employees have the right to strike but must adhere to specific conditions in addition to those required of workers in other lines of work.
Health
care units are required to give a thirty day notice and ten day notice before a
strike. During this period, negotiations continue with a federal mediator.
The
only strike by UFCW represented RNs occurred in protest to short
staffing.
Patients
are never left in danger due to a strike.
Notification
allows administrators to arrange for patient transport to other facilities,
cancellation of elective procedures, and diversion of emergencies.
There
are other measures that should considered before resorting to a strike.
Informational
picketing. During
this process, nurses continue to work their regular shifts and picket only
during their off-hours. This is effective because it brings attention to
the plight of nurses, a PR nightmare for hospitals. It also rallies
community support and the support of other union members.
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