The importance of nursing unions

I’ve heard it over and over again (and, at one point, I even believed it myself): “What does the union ever do for us?” It’s a statement wrapped in a question, often said with frustration or cynicism. It reflects the belief that union dues are money spent with little return, but it also reveals something deeper: that many of us haven’t taken the time to fully understand what our union does, how collective bargaining works, or how much of our daily work life is shaped by the protections it affords us.

The Difference Between Union and Non-Union Work

As someone who has worked in both unionized and non-unionized roles, I can say with confidence that I will always remain pro-union. The difference isn’t subtle, it’s night and day. In non-unionized workplaces, I’ve seen how easily decisions about workload, safety, and wages can shift without consultation. I’ve experienced management practices that seemingly change overnight, leaving employees to adapt or move on. There’s no collective protection, no grievance process, no one ensuring fairness at the table.

In contrast, our unionized environment may not be perfect, but it provides the foundation of fairness that we too often take for granted. The right to a safe work environment, the guarantee of wage scales, protections against arbitrary discipline, equitable scheduling, and paid education leave. Take a deep look into the history of labour rights of nurses in BC and it is quite clear that these didn’t just happen. They were fought for, negotiated, and maintained through years of collective effort and solidarity.

The Invisible Work of the Union

When people say, “the union doesn’t do anything,” they often mean they don’t see the day-to-day advocacy that happens quietly behind the scenes. Grievances are resolved before they escalate, unsafe workloads are challenged, and contract language is clarified to prevent exploitation. These wins rarely make headlines, but they are the scaffolding that holds up our professional lives.

Protecting Nursing and Patient Safety

As nurses, we work in environments that are constantly shifting, politically, economically, and socially. That is not new. Funding cuts, policy changes, and increasing patient acuity all create pressure that can erode working conditions if left unchecked. The union acts as a safeguard, reminding both employers and government that our labour is not expendable, and that patient safety is directly tied to the safety and stability of the nursing workforce.

Fairness, Not Greed

Being pro-union isn’t about greed or wanting “more than we deserve.” It’s about fairness. It’s about recognizing that the standards we have, from workload protections to paid sick leave, to vacation benefits, were earned collectively, not granted benevolently. And it’s about understanding that these rights can just as easily be taken away if we don’t continue to protect them.

A Question Worth Reframing

So the next time someone asks, “What does the union ever do for us?” maybe the answer is, “everything you take for granted.”