Promises ≠ Actions
NNU and other unions might make a lot of promises, and they might sound appealing. But nothing is guaranteed during collective bargaining. If the union wins an election, it wins the right to negotiate on your behalf, but our hospital isn’t under any obligation to agree to anything. The union’s promises aren’t automatically granted, and the union can’t require that certain things be negotiated, even if it says it can.
Before you give away control of your MedStar Georgetown University Hospital work experience to a union, consider this:
- A union cannot guarantee higher pay or better benefits.
- A union cannot require us to hire new nurses or direct how units are staffed.
- A union cannot change hospital policies or procedures.
You Have Rights
We respect our associates’ right to make free and informed decisions. Further, we support our associates’ legal right to choose for themselves whether or not to unionize.
- The right to refrain from any union activity.
- The right to engage in union activity and support the union.
- The right to campaign against the union.
We are aware that union organizers can be extremely persistent. We support Federal law that provides our associates with the following rights:
- YOU have the right to sign or not sign a union card, petition or online form.
- YOU have the right not to be bothered by union supporters while you are working or in patient care areas.
- YOU have the right to talk or not talk to a union representative if you are contacted at home.
- YOU have the right to tell union organizers you are not interested.
- YOU have the right to say “No.”
Our mission to provide extraordinary patient care is best accomplished when our associates’ voices are heard, when we work directly with one another, and when associates speak for themselves and our patients without intervention from outside organizations.
Myths vs. Facts
Myth: If we support a union, we might not get everything, but at least we’ll get something.”
Fact: Any changes would have to be negotiated between the union and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Collective bargaining is a give-and-take process, and while both sides can put forth its proposals, there are no guarantees. And no one knows what a final contract will look like—you could get more, but you could also end up with the same as what you have today, or even less.
Myth: With a union, we will decide what the policies and work rules are.”
Fact: The union would not have a say in MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s policies and day-to-day operations. Those matters are typically part of management rights, along with hiring and firing decisions, discipline, staffing and resourcing, and enforcing all policies, procedures, and work rules.
Myth: A union will have the authority to select supervisors.”
Fact: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital would retain the authority to make management decisions, including who is selected to be a supervisor. Our expectation of all leaders is to exhibit fairness at all times. If you ever feel this is not the case, please reach out to Human Resources.