The George Washington University Hospital Nurses Union
Who We Are
By Nurses, For Nurses
we are the nurses of GWU Hospital, and we are fighting for:
Higher Wages
Unionized workers make
10.2% more than non-unionized workers on average, according to the US Department of Labor.
Better Benefits
Workers who are unionized are more likely to have health insurance, paid sick leave, and paid maternity and paternity leave. See this report from 2021 by the Economic Policy Institute for more.
Safer Patient Conditions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions, Answered
Q: What was the outcome of the vote?
A: WE WON! We the nurses of George Washington University Hospital voted to form a union, to collectively bargain for a better future.
Q: What comes next?
A: Stay tuned as we negotiate our first contract, elect our peers to become union representatives, and more. Follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information.
Q: What is a union and what does unionizing mean?
A: Labor unions improve wages and working conditions for all workers, whether they are union members or not. Unions help reduce wage gaps for female workers and workers of color. Union members have better job safety protections and better paid leave than non-union workers, and are more secure exercising their rights in the workplace. See the US Department of Labor for more.
Q: Do we really need a union right now?
A: GWUH is investing in short-term contracts and travel nurses rather than prioritizing investing in retaining our full-time staff, who know and love this hospital. Meanwhile, our patient assignments are increasing, charge nurses are being assigned patients regularly, and our concerns are not being addressed. The time is now - we need change, and we need a union.
Q: How much are the dues for the union?
A: Currently, DCNA dues are $27.16 per pay period for RNs. This covers services DCNA provides for its members, like legal representation and negotiations with the hospital for better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Q: Has GWUH been a "target" for the union?
A: The unionizing effort is led by GWUH nurses. We came together to organize for better conditions and dignified work for ourselves and our colleagues. After doing our research and interviewing several unions, we selected DCNA because of their proven results in negotiating for better wages, fairer policies, and representation for the nurses they represent.
Q: Will we still be able to talk directly with our managers with a union in place?
A: Direct discussion with management is encouraged! Having a union representative present for a discussion with your manager is an option with a union, not a requirement.
Q: Will all of our benefits be up for negotiation, and won't that risk losing benefits?
A: Yes, all of our benefits will be up for negotiation! This is a good thing. We get to have a say in contract negotiation regarding the benefits we earn. On average, nurses who are part of a union have better wages, benefits, and working conditions than nurses who are not part of a union. Currently, our pay and bonuses can be given - and taken away! - without a moment’s notice. With a Nursing Union, we will have the power to negotiate pay and bonuses, protected by a binding contract.
Q: Am I risking my job by voting?
A: Signing a card is a confidential and legally protected activity. You cannot be retaliated against if you signed an authorization card. To learn more about your rights, see your rights under the National Labor Relations Board. If you feel like you are being retaliated against or your rights may be being infringed upon, please report them here.
Q: Where do union posters keep going?
A: Good question! Although we have the right to post information about the union in staff common spaces such as break rooms and locker rooms, management has been removing posters. This behavior and other union intimidation tactics are against the National Labor Relations Act, and should be reported.
Union-Busting
Favorites
some classic anti-union quotes, debunked
“Union organizers are making nurses sign pieces of paper… but they don’t even know what they are signing.”
As the organizers of the GW Nurses union, we believe you are intelligent and have integrity. Nurses who have signed union cards did so after thoughtful reflection, and in a spirit of optimism that we can make GW hospital better for nurses and patients.
“We believe we can work directly with nurses, without the third party like DCNA interfering and putting a wall between nurses and management.”
The union effort is being led by nurses, for nurses. Many of us have spent our entire careers here at GWUH. We love the patients we serve and the people we work with. For years, we have sought to convey to management what we need to do our jobs safely and with dignity. We are at this point because conversations between nurses and management have been happening for years, without seeing change.