Your UNION Rights:

"A nurse called by the Hospital to attend a disciplinary meeting or investigatory meeting which could lead to discipline shall have the right to Union representation, which includes the right to interrupt a meeting that has already commenced to request Union representation. It shall be the nurse's responsibility to inform the Hospital that she/he wishes to have such representation".
- Refer to Contract ARTICLE 3.2 c for complete language about this important Union right.

Nurses United Facebook link
Nurses United on Facebook

Nurses United allies and supporters: sign up for email updates

We urge all staff nurses in Nurses United to send their names, unit on which they work, and their current PERSONAL E-mail address to nursesunitedorg@aol.com so that we can E-mail you with the most up-to-date news.

Learn how to get a free Yahoo email account (PDF document)

Get your form: (links will open new browser windows)

Authorization to Deduct Membership Dues or Agency Fee (PDF)

Need Adobe Acrobat? Use this link to download free reader at Adobe.com

DEDUCTION OF DUES…COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. What is a Dues Deduction Card? A. It is your written authorization to The Washington Hospital Center to deduct either your Nurses United membership dues, or an agency fee from the second paycheck you receive each month, and to pay that amount directly to Nurses United.

Q. What is the difference between membership dues and an agency fee? A. Both membership dues and an agency fee are the means by which Nurses United will finance its activities representing you and protecting your workplace rights and job protections. Whichever you choose, you will be covered by any collective bargaining agreement with The Washington Hospital Center and will be represented in a wide variety of situations, including grievances and arbitrations. Nurses who join Nurses United and pay membership dues have the right to elect fficers, vote on the amount to be charged as dues or agency fees, amend the by-laws, and fully participate in the conduct of Nurses United's business. Nurses who choose to pay only an agency fee waive the above membership rights.

Q. How much are dues? A. Membership dues are currently $45.67 per month. The amount is set by the Nurses United By-laws and membership vote.

Q. How much are agency fees? A. Currently the fee is the same as membership dues because all of Nurses United's activities are related to collective bargaining activities, e.g. contract negotiations, contract enforcement, plus grievance and arbitration representation, etc.

Q. Who decides whether I should pay membership dues or agency fees? A. You do.

Q. Can the amount charged for dues or agency fees change? A. Yes. In accordance with the Nurses United By-laws, the amounts can change, but only if the change is approved by the membership.

Q. When will WHC start deducting dues and fees and pay them to Nurses United? A. Following the NLRB election, once Nurses United is certified as the exclusive collective bargaining agent, Nurses United will negotiate agency shop, maintenance of membership, and a dues deduction agreement with WHC.

Q. Will I have to pay dues and fees to both Nurses United and DCNA? A. No.There will be only be one union to which you will be required to pay dues. You may, however, maintain voluntary membership in DCNA as a professional organization. Those dues would be paid voluntarily and directly to DCNA.

Q. What is an agency shop? A. Since 1988 registered nurses at WHC have had an agency shop provision in their contract with WHC. This means that everyone covered by the benefits and privileges of the contract pays for the cost of negotiating and enforcing the contract. In turn, the union has the legal obligation to fairly represent all nurses covered by the contract.

More Questions? Contact: Nurses United 8737 Colesville Road Suite 950 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
by E-mail to: Nursesunitedorg@aol.com