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 Montgomery Medical Center 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 Montgomery Medical Center. 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 Montgomery Medical Center’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 Montgomery Medical Center 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.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to deciding whether or not you wish to be unionized. It’s a big decision, and one that’s yours alone to make. MedStar Health respects everyone’s right to choose what’s best for them when it comes to unionization. Whether or not you support the union has no impact on your employment here.
Making an informed decision starts with understanding your legal rights when it comes to engaging—or not engaging—with the union. Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), you have the right to:
- Sign, or not sign, a union authorization card or petition
- Participate in, or refuse to participate in, union activity
- Campaign for, or against, the union
If you believe your rights have been violated, you can reach out to Human Resources. You may also contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB):
NLRB Regional Office – Baltimore
Bank of America Center, Tower II
100 S Charles Street
6th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-962-2822 | Fax: 410-962-2198
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a union campaign?
A union campaign is an effort by the union to try to convince associates to allow the union to represent them in collective bargaining. The goal is to get associates to sign authorization cards so the union can file a petition for election with the National Labor Relations Board. During an organizing campaign, union organizers may approach associates before or after work to distribute material and/or collect contact information so they can then call, email, set up virtual meetings or visit associates at homes to discuss unionizing.
Who is a union organizer?
Most unions employ organizers who are trained and responsible for soliciting support from associates. These individuals are paid by the union to get associates to sign cards and join the union. The union organizer typically uses pro-union associates to convince their peers to sign an authorization card or petition and support the union. These associates, sometimes called “internal organizers,” also may be paid by the union and promised status as union delegates or stewards if the union campaign is successful.
Do associates have to talk to organizer or support the union?
The National Labor Relations Act preserves your right to support or not support a union. You do not have to speak with an organizer if you don’t want to. The law gives you the right to oppose or support a union and to talk about your position with your co-workers. The decision is yours.
Can associates just try out a union for a while, and then tell the union to leave if they don’t like it?
It’s not that easy. Once the union is voted in, it is in place for a one-year minimum even without a contract. After the first year, or after the expiration of the first contract (or three years, whichever is sooner), if associates wanted to get the union out, they would have to gather enough signatures to file a decertification petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Associates would be responsible for initiating and organizing this effort on their own and, according to the law, MedStar Health could not assist.
If the union wins an election, do all associates in the bargaining unit have to join the union?
If a union wins representation of a group of associates, it represents everyone in that bargaining unit, whether you chose to be a member of the union or not. By law, no one can be required to join the union, but you can be required to pay for union representation in order to retain your job, whether you join the union or not. In almost all union contracts in Maryland and the District of Columbia, there is a clause that requires all represented employees to pay the union as a condition of employment (either dues or an agency fee). If an associate does not pay, the union could require the company to terminate that associate’s employment. This clause is referred to as a Union Security Clause because it ensures that the union will get paid, giving them “financial” security.