N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse

N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role Study Guide Basic Concepts of Collect ve Bargainin In order to begin collective bargaining, employees must choose a union that will represent them. The negotiation begins, which means to bargain or confer with another party or parties to reach an agreement. It implies that there will be a discussion on the terms of the agreement. Ideally, negotiations would move toward reasonable compromise that would allow each side to achieve many of conditions it requested. A typical bargaining session has three phases: • The first phase includes a formal exchange of proposals during which each side may ask for more than it knows or expects to receive and emphasizes its commitment to certain issues. • The second phase focuses the attention on secondary issues. • The third phase occurs as the deadline approaches; primary issues are discussed. Mediation and arbitration are the most commonly used method of seeking an agreement between parties when negotiating has not been successful. The mediator is a third person who may join the bargainers to assist the parties in reconciling differences and arriving at a peaceful agreement. An arbitrator is a person chosen by the agreement of both parties to decide a dispute between them. The primary difference between a mediator and an arbitrator is that the mediator assists the parties in reaching their own decision, whereas the arbitrator has the authority to actually make the decision for the parties if necessary. Binding arbitration means that both parties are obligated to abide by the decision of the arbitrator. Some see binding arbitration as the least desirable alternative in settling disputes, because it may result in a decision that is not satisfactory to either side, but one by which both must abide. Binding arbitration has the advantage of resolving deadlocked issues without a strike and also encourages both parties, knowing the arbitrator’s decision may not please either side, to reach a compromise of their own. A strike occurs when workers refuse to continue to work until certain demands are met, thus imposing economic hardship and pressure on the employer. Ratification means the members of the bargaining group must accept the terms of the contract, which is usually done by a vote of the membership. Common issues negotiated in nursing unions include the following: • Provisions for shared governance • Mandatory and voluntary overtime • Acuity-based staffing systems • Use of temporary nurses • Whistleblower protection • Protection from reassignments and other issues related to assignment of duties Right to Work In 1932, under the administration of Roosevelt, several acts were passed related to the rights and privileges of the worker, which lead to the establishment of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB has the responsibility for administering the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA has two primary functions:

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