California union courts Houston-area nurses

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4967536.html

California union courts Houston-area nurses
Organization stirs up interest in some; others wary

By L.M. SIXEL
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

They're not fighting about wages. They aren't complaining about benefits. And no army of organizers has descended upon the city.

So why are some in Houston keeping a close eye on the California Nurses Association's low-key organizing drive here?

Two reasons: The 70,000-member union is powerful and, according to those who've followed its progress elsewhere, it often gets what it wants.

And what it wants now is the eventual membership of as many of the 20,600 mostly unrepresented, hospital-employed registered nurses in Harris, Galveston and Brazoria counties it can get.

"I don't think they know how strong they are," said Julius Getman, a University of Texas School of Law professor who has been meeting with nurses and organizers in Texas to map out strategy.

Pushing for Texas
Since entering Texas, the California group has lobbied Texas legislators for laws to lower nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals and greater whistle-blower protections for nurses, though they were unsuccessful.

FULL story at link.

[jody]

1. I hope the nurses join the union. n/t