The New York State Nurses Association is the largest union for registered nurses in the Northeast, with more than 34,000 members. NYSNA union members are not “at will” employees at the mercy of management decisions – they have greater control over their working lives and more influence in tackling the immense challenges they face each day as healthcare professionals.
Q.: Why should RNs join NYSNA, a professional nurses’ union?
A.: Registered professional nurses are at the center of the center of the healthcare delivery system. Despite the vital role RNs perform, they are often not consulted by nursing administration on critical matters such as staffing, floating, and other practice-related concerns. RNs who believe they deserve to be active participants in making key decisions about patient care matters are joining NYSNA to bring about positive changes in their workplaces.
Q.: Is NYSNA as powerful as other unions?
A.: Back in 1902, NYSNA fought for the first nurse licensure law in the country. NYSNA has since achieved a progressive definition of nursing in state law, as well as legislation to protect healthcare whistleblowers and protect the title “nurse.” Most recently, NYSNA proposed and won state laws that ban mandatory overtime for nurses and that require hospitals and other facilities to disclose their nurse staffing levels.
Q.: What’s included in a typical collective bargaining agreement (contract)?
A.: Each NYSNA bargaining unit negotiates it own contract with management with the assistance and support of skilled labor relations representatives and nursing representatives. Each contract addresses the specific issues facing the nurses at that facility. In addition, NYSNA contracts specify base pay; bonuses for experience, education, and certification; provisions for time off, educational reimbursement, health benefits, and retirement benefits; and more.
Q: What are NYSNA dues?
A: Dues are based on a formula approved by the NYSNA Voting Body, which includes all members who attend the annual business meeting. Annual dues are a percentage of the average base pay earned by NYSNA members, adjusted by geographic regions.
New NYSNA members do not pay dues until a first contract has been negotiated and ratified (approved) by a majority of the bargaining unit membership. In addition, NYSNA members who pay dues as full-time employees at their primary places of employment do not pay dues as part-time or per-diem employees at secondary places of employment.
Q: What resources does NYSNA provide its members?
A: NYSNA provides a tremendous range of resources to its members to enhance their professional practice.
Q.: What should I do when I’ve decided it’s time to build nurse power and join NYSNA?
A.: Contact NYSNA at 800.724.6976 (within New York State) or 518.782.9400, ext. 284. Or complete this convenient, confidential online form and we’ll contact you.
Compassionate Advocates who deserve Respect and are Essential to the delivery of healthcare!
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