Workplace Issues

History of Economic and General Welfare Services in Iowa

By Mary Malone

History:

The American Nurses Association (ANA) became involved in collective bargaining in 1946 under the direction of Katharine Densford Dreves, following the example of Shirley Titus and the California Nurses Association, who had been involved in collective bargaining since 1942. Key issues were nurses working over 40 hours a week, and nurses receiving $.78 an hour while women in the work force were making $.95 an hour. Nurses did not have any benefits. Nursing is regarded as a dedicated calling not an economic pursuit. Collective bargaining is a tool for addressing workplace concerns.

In 1949 the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recognizes the first state association to be certified as the official bargaining agent for registered nurses. In 1950, ANA adopted a "no strike policy" to force employers to recognize and deal justly with the nurses and to convince the general public that nurses would not strike lightly. But employers did not negotiate fairly with nurses and their associations. In 1968, ANA rescinded the "no strike policy".

ANA has been involved in issues such as: equal pay for equal work, starting in 1950; Equal Rights Amendment of the 1980’s; and Social Security coverage for hospital employees.

In 1967, Iowa Nurses Association organized its first unit of registered nurses under the direction of Edith Ruppert. At the same time Rachel Buck recognized the relationship between working conditions for nurses and the quality of patient care delivered. Rachel Buck skillfully and thoughtfully negotiated with local and national Veteran’s Administration (VA) personnel, and was able to help the Iowa VA nurses achieve the contract that stands today and serves as a model for VA contracts nationwide.

In 1990, the American Nurses Association presented to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) the all RN-bargaining unit. Nurses are different in that they direct others in the work place in the interest of the patient, while supervisors direct others in the interest of the employer.

In 1994 ANA entered into a National Partnership with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs and four other unions representing VA employees.

UNITED AMERICAN NURSES (UAN)

In 1999, ANA formed the United American Nurses (UAN), a formal union of nurses, by nurses. The Union for Nurses by Nurses is comprised of constituent member associations (CMA) of the state nurses associations involved in collective bargaining. The UAN represents more registered nurses than any other union; nurses know what the nursing issues are. The UAN helps nurses advocate for nurses, so that nurses can advocate for patients.

ANA has been recognized for 100 years as the voice of nursing, so UAN has instant creditability and resources and access to the right decision makers. Working with the UAN, nurses are able to protect themselves from work related hazards, learn about their rights, and enforce the laws that protect them. Nursing practice and quality of care issues are top priorities for the UAN. We have to ensure that nurses have control over their practice.

In June 2000, the UAN had its first meeting of the National Labor Assembly (NLA).

Consideration was given to the affiliation agreement with the AFL-CIO and voted to move forward with the work in process. The UAN is also moving forward with the VA Partnership.

MISSION of the UNITED AMERICAN NURSES (UAN):

To support nurses in their profession.

Philosophy:

To represent the profession of nursing and nurses in their workplace within the bylaws of the Iowa Nurses Association’s Commission on Economics & General Welfare, thereby advocating for quality patient care and having nurses directing the course of nursing.

Goals:

1. Support and strengthen the existing units.

2. Provide information and improve communication to nurses in the workplace.

3. Involve nurses in the decisions of nursing’s future path.

4. Nurses to be mentors for future nurses.

Objectives:

1. Maintain current membership and continue to increase in numbers.

2. Provide education for nurses related to collective bargaining and workplace issues.

3. Develop an information highway for nurses and future nurses to use.

4. Promote nursing to all nurses, present nurses and future nurses.

5. Present a united front to others, including the general public.

Outcomes:

1. Develop education programs and literature that educate regarding nursing in collective bargaining.

2. Increase awareness and encourage participation in nursing’s decisions.

3. Provide ongoing communication between the units.

4. Awareness of nursing in the big picture and trends.

5. Acknowledge and respects the differences of others in nursing.

What is Collective Bargaining?

Collective bargaining is a tool used to determine work place conditions. Collective bargaining is the bilateral determination of work terms and conditions between employee representatives and the employer. The resulting contract is administered through negotiations, the grievance procedure, and other avenues decided upon by the bilateral representatives.

What are negotiations?

Negotiations are the presenting of proposals by the employees and the employers to each other that will result in a work agreement.

What is a grievance?

Grievance is the means to state to one party that the other party has not upheld the contract. This is the name of the activity to enforce the contract.

What is arbitration?

Arbitration is an informal method of dispute resolution, when the employer and employee are unable to agree.

Is belonging to a union professional for nurses?

Belonging to a union if one of the strongest mechanisms by which nurses can achieve professionalism. Nurses have the right to organize and use the collective bargaining process to negotiate their professional concerns. Nurses have the right to insure quality patient care through collective bargaining by participating in workplace decisions. Nurses have the right to safeguard the standard of practice set by the profession.

THE BEST WAY TO PROVIDE QUALITY PATIENT CARE IS TO TAKE CARE OF THE NURSE.

What is the NLRA?

The National Labor Relations Act is a federal law passed in 1935 giving employees the right to join unions, bargain collectively, and strike. It is also known as the Wagner Act, the Taft-Hartley Act, and the Labor Management Relations Act.

What is NLRB?

The National Labor Relations Board is the federal government body that regulates private sector employers and unions.

What is the PERB?

The Public Employees Relations Board is the state of Iowa government body that regulates the public sector and unions.

How many different unions represent nurses?

Twenty to thirty different unions represent nurses. A couple of the unions active in Iowa are: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which is for federal government employees, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (ASCME). The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is often referred to as the "House of Labor" since it is the umbrella organization for labor unions and the mechanism where labor unions can speak with one voice to the public and others. Labor unions become members of the AFL-CIO in order to enjoy certain benefits.

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