DATE: August 20, 1999

I understand that some nurses are saying, "Having a union at TGH doesn't matter to me. I just won't join and won't pay any dues."

It's very important that you are well-informed about unionization in Florida. We're among 22 other states which have a "right to work" law which protects employees from being forced to join a union to retain their jobs (and prevents employees from organizing without extreme pressure from union busters.)What does this mean for you, even if you don't "join the union?"

IF THE UNION IS VOTED IN...

-If you DO NOT JOIN the union, you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY UNION DUES, but

-union contract terms and conditions WILL APPLY TO YOU. Thank goodness! It's about time!

-you will NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE to accept or reject any union contract But you will be able to talk to your nurse representatives about the contents of the contract and make your thoughts known.

-you will NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE whether to go on strike If the hospital abides by the contract, a strike will not be necessary. Also, the union must give adequate notice of an impending strike, and hospitals have plenty of time to make necessary arrangements. Patient care does NOT suffer during a strike.

-you will NOT BE ABLE TO ELECT those who will be your voice: union officers, representatives, stewards That's a good reason to join, since the representatives and stewards are nurses, just like you! Isn't it odd that Ms.Nelson left out that simple fact?

-you will NOT HAVE A SAY in any other union matters This is not true. You will be able to talk to your nurse/steward or nurse/representative at any time if you have concerns.

If the union is voted in, there will likely be pressure on you to join. Since the union was voted-in at St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach in January, nurses are already paying dues and they are still without a contract. At Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, negotiations haven't even begun, but some nurses have succumbed to the pressure to pay dues. In fact, we've been told that immediately after the election, at the union celebration party, organizers began distributing dues authorization cards.

It's a very difficult decision for those of you who do not wish to join the union. But a very simple decision for those that do. However, it's important that you understand that the vote WILL impact you.In a very positive way! I encourage you to examine all the facts (so do we---and we also recommend you read the book "Confessions of a Union Buster", available through Amazon.com) so you can make a well-informed vote on September 1 or September 2. And I encourage you to Vote NO. And we encourage you to have the courage and the vision to vote Yes.