WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE UNION: Often people ask - why should I join the Union? NAGE Local R 3-19 thinks the answer may be different for each individual, but here are some strong arguments in favor of becoming a dues paying member of NAGE R3-19. Say YES to UNION!!
First, Unions are committed to protecting the rights of working women and men and improving the working conditions of members and their families. NAGE has negotiated local and national collective bargaining agreements which ensure fairness on a variety of issues: Time and Leave, Safety, Education, Counseling, Discipline, Investigations, Compensation, Notification and Negotiability of issues which impact nurses practice (prior to managements implementation), Awards, and Grievance procedures are just some of these areas. NAGE R3-19 is a unified voice for the Nurses throughout the VAMHCS.

Secondly, Union representatives are on an even playing field where management is concerned. When you have a union representative they are in “an official union capacity” and have the same rights as management in regard to who, what, when, where, and why of the meeting.

Thirdly, Unions carry political clout!! We have lobbyist that represent our interests on local, state, and national levels. Every day elected officials make decisions that affect jobs, benefits, and security. Collective bargaining agreements, wages, benefits, and job security are negotiated and/or presided over by these officials. Therefore, it is critical that NURSES become involved in directing these decisions.
Also, I ask myself, Why would management be so fearful of the Union and what they represent if they are,(as they claim to be) committed to fairness and safety? It seems to me that management who truly promoted and upheld these values would welcome a Union presence at their facility. It makes me pause and question the strength of their “commitment and fairness" to ALL their employees.

Finally, I am a history buff and I am aware that virtually all of the workers’ rights which currently exist (Social Security, The 40 hour work week, the 8 hour work day, child labor laws, overtime compensation, and safety standards to name a few) were fought for and won by laborers and their Unions. They were all battles that most would say could “never be won” but in UNITY and NUMBERS there was VICTORY. Strength and power increase with NUMBERS!! Here at the VA, we are an open shop and people do not automatically become dues paying members because of employment. Many nurses assume they are dues paying members when in actuality they are not. This misconception reduces the NUMBER of actual members and with that the STRENGTH of all the nurses. This erroneous concept also places a burden on the member who does pay dues. Our union is committed to fairness to all. ALL VAMHCS non – supervisory Registered Nurses BENEFIT from the union presence in their workplace; however the financial burden to meet the needs of all falls on the backs and wallets of the members in good standing. These dedicated union members are to be commended for their commitment to make the working conditions better for ALL nurses in the VAMHCS.

NAGE Local R 3-19 was organized to foster the general welfare of its members and exists for the purpose of addressing the staff nurses’ concerns related to wages, hours, working conditions, and grievance handling.
We believe that working staff nurses, as health care professionals who implement policies and procedures, should have input into the formulation of policies that directly impact the delivery of their nursing care. NAGE is that Voice!!!! Your Voice is important.

We in NAGE R3-19 continue to be optimistic that those in power positions will do the right things. The Union is our insurance policy until that utopia exists. We hope this helps in your decision to BECOME A MEMBER and strengthen our ability to ensure the rights of all. Remember, "an injury to one is an injury to all; the price of silence can be deadly."

Union application and payroll deduction forms can be downloaded and printed from the website www.R3-19.org or you can contact your elected union officials. The Union office extensions are: Baltimore 4979 or 4354; Perry Point 6195 and BRECC 7647. Thank you for your interest; we look forward to growing with your help!!