800 Ascension TX Nurses Vote To Unionize

This week, nurses in Austin, Texas, voted to unionize. This occasion is notable as a result of the Lone Star state has been thought of an “anti-union state,” unfriendly to unionizers. The nurses’ motion to arrange is a part of a development growing nationwide. Many staff be a part of unions with hopes of enhancing working situations. Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin (ASMCA) have mentioned they hope to discount collectively with hospital administration for higher pay and safer staffing. Here’s a have a look at what is going on in Texas. 

Unionizing in Texas

To date, unions have been sluggish to realize traction within the south. According to knowledge from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, solely 5 p.c of staff in southern states belong to a union. Since 1989, when state knowledge grew to become accessible, union membership charges in Texas have consistently been below the U.S. average. In 2020, Texas ranked among the ten states with the bottom charges of union membership.The vote to unionize Texan nurses comes at a time when different staff are pushing union membership in Austin and across the state. Healthcare suppliers at Integral Care, Austin’s mental health authority, efficiently organized a union this 12 months. Also, different non-healthcare firms within the state’s capital metropolis, like Starbucks, have shaped staff’ unions this 12 months. 

Although Texas isn’t known for being union-friendly, staff are organizing to make use of their collective bargaining energy for higher working situations. The Wall Street Journal means that rising inflation and a tight job market might spur much more curiosity in labor unions.

Unionizing at ASMC

On September 22, 2022, nurses at ASMCA voted in favor of becoming a member of the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the most important nurses’ union within the United States. The vote confirmed 72% supporting the measure (385 for, 151 opposed). As a end result, Ascension Seton is now the largest private-sector hospital to form a union in Texas. 

The NNOC/NNU has over 175,000 members nationwide, with about 2,500 in Texas from Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and El Paso. Approximately 800 nurses at Ascension Seton will work to barter contracts with the hospital directors. According to the union, NNOC/NNU nurses in different hospitals have been able to secure contracts that included: 

• Stricter enforcement of staffing grids

• Improved an infection management measures (together with a provision requiring single-use optimum safety with any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 affected person)

• Wage will increase of as much as 19%

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• Committees to advertise range, fairness, and inclusion

Taylor Critedon, a registered nurse within the intensive care unit and organizer for the union, instructed an Austin newspaper that she had experienced the negative effects of poor staffing on the hospital. “For a lot of nurses, you go home and feel like ‘I didn’t do my best work, I wasn’t able to provide the best nursing I know I’m capable of because the resources weren’t provided,” she mentioned. “It hurts.”

Matthew Clark, a registered nurse in ASMCA’s intensive care unit, mentioned, “during the pandemic, we saw lots of staff leave our hospital because of the worsening conditions; Ascension has more than enough money to retain nurses and provide better conditions. We are excited to use our collective voice to advocate for our patients by fighting for safer staffing and better working conditions.”

The hospital supplied this statement to a local Austin news outlet.

“Consistent with the ethical and religious directives for Catholic Health Care Services, we respect our nurses’ right to organize themselves through union representation. We are united in our commitment to care for our community and those that we are privileged to serve.”

What’s Next for ASCMA Nurses

Nurses at ASCMA say they’re thrilled concerning the union election win and are longing for the longer term. Critedon mentioned in a press release, “We hope that more nurses in Austin will organize and join us in fighting for the highest standards of care here in the state capital and throughout Texas.” 

Following the vote, ASCMA nurses will kind a bargaining committee. Then they’ll begin negotiating their first contract with the hospital administration. There’s no timeline accessible but on when that every one will occur.

Geovana Hill, a nurse in ASCMA’s renal unit, mentioned, “We are looking forward to bargaining for a fair contract to improve patient safety, as well as competitive wages to keep Austin nurses working here in our community. We are more than ready to win a strong first contract, which will help with nursing staff retention.”

The Takeaway

Nurses in Austin, Texas voted to unionize this week and it is vital as a result of the Lone Star State has not been a pro-union state prior to now. The nurses’ motion to arrange is a part of a development growing nationwide. More and extra staff are becoming a member of unions.

Many are hopeful {that a} union voice at ASMCA hospital will profit Austin nurses, and the neighborhood, as they begin contract negotiations.