Nursing unions represent more than 230,000 nurses across the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those figures represent 20.4% of RNs and 10% of LPNs/LVNs. Joining a nursing union is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Some states have mandatory union participation requirements, while others are right-to-work states. Nursing professionals interested in joining a union can find a variety of options. Some unions which represent workers in other industries have extended their memberships to nurses.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide of state-by-state nursing unions, what services they provide, and where to get more information.
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| State | Organization | Website | Services provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL | Alabama National Nurses United | www.nationalnursesunited.org/state/alabama | This national nurses’ union hosts a local chapter within the state of Alabama. It provides discounted services for professional development, plus benefits and salary negotiation. Alabama is a right-to-work state. |
| AR | Arkansas National Nurses United | www.nationalnursesunited.org/state/arkansas | The Arkansas branch of the national NNU provides bargaining assistance for benefits and salary, and fair working conditions. Arkansas is a right-to-work state. |
| CA | California Nurses Association | https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/california-nurses-association | The largest nurses’ union in the U.S., it provides discounted services, and benefits & salary negotiation. California is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| CO | Colorado National Nurses United | www.nationalnursesunited.org/state/colorado | Backed by National Nurses United, this nurses’ union provides benefits and wage negotiations assistance. It also offers representation to members during official meetings with employer management, and discounts for professional development. Colorado is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| CO | United Food and Commercial Workers | www.ufcw.org/who-we-represent/healthcare | This national union represents more than 55,000 healthcare professionals in the U.S., including Colorado. It offers contract negotiations assistance and representation during employment disputes. Colorado is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| DC | District of Columbia Nurses Association | www.dcna.org | Originally started as a professional nursing organization, the DCNA eventually expanded it services to include collective bargaining agreement negotiations for its nurse members. Other benefits include discounts on products and services, and professional education. D.C. is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| DC | District of Columbia National Nurses United | www.nationalnursesunited.org/state/district-of-columbia | Backed by National Nurses United, this nurses’ union provides benefits and wage negotiations assistance. It also offers representation to members during official meetings with employer management, and discounts for professional development. D.C. is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| FL | Florida SEIU | www.1199seiu.org/florida | SEIU is a national union that offers local chapters within the state. Benefits include on-the-job support, negotiations of union contracts, representation during disciplinary hearings, and discounts on services. Florida is a right-to-work state. |
| ID | Idaho Local 690 Teamsters Union | www.teamster.org/locals | Teamsters represent healthcare workers through the state of Idaho. Benefits include life and accident insurance, retiree health insurance, tuition discounts, and other discounted products and services. Negotiations assistance and representation during disciplinary hearings offered. Idaho is a right-to-work state. |
| IL | Illinois Nurses Association | www.illinoisnurses.com/ | INA represents RNs across the state. Benefits include collective bargaining assistance, discounts products and services, and advocacy at the state level for the nursing profession. Illinois is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| IN | Indiana SEIU | www.seiuhcilin.org/states/indiana/ | SEIU is a national union that offers local chapters within the state. Benefits include on-the-job support, negotiations of union contracts, representation during disciplinary hearings, and discounts on services. Indiana is a right-to-work state. |
| MD | Maryland/DC 1199SEIU | www.1199seiu.org/maryland_dc | This national union offers local chapters within the state. Benefits include on-the-job support, negotiations of union contracts, representation during disciplinary hearings, and discounts for services. Maryland is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| MI | Michigan Nurses Association | www.minurses.org | This statewide nurses’ union provides collective bargaining services to its members. It also represents nurses’ voices at the state legislature level, advocating for legislation to make nurses’ working conditions better. Discounts on a variety of products and services are included. Michigan is a right-to-work state. |
| MN | Minnesota Nurses Association | www.mnnurses.org | This statewide nurses’ union provides collective bargaining services to its members. It also represents nurses’ voices at the state legislature level, advocating for legislation to make nurses’ working conditions better. Discounts on a variety of products and services included. Minnesota is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| NE | Nebraska National Nurses United | www.nationalnursesunited.org/state/nebraska | NNU is a national union that represents nurses throughout the state. Benefits include contract negotiations assistance, representation during disciplinary hearings, and discounted services. Nebraska is a right-to-work state. |
| NJ | New Jersey 1199J | www.1199j.org | This statewide union represents hospital and healthcare employees in contract negotiations and labor disputes. It also provides members with labor representation for disputes and disciplinary matters, and discounts on a variety of products and services. New Jersey is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| NC | North Carolina AFSCME | www.afscme.org/local/north-carolina | This national union offers affiliates and locals for nursing professionals throughout the state. Benefits include contract negotiations, disciplinary hearing representation, and discounts on services ranging from college to mortgage financing. North Carolina is a right-to-work state. |
| RI | SEIU Healthcare RI | www.seiu1199ne.org | SEIU is a national union that offers local chapters within the state. Benefits include on-the-job support, negotiations of union contracts, representation during disciplinary hearings, and discounts on services. Rhode Island is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| VT | Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (VFNHP) | www.vfnhp.com | Representing over 2,000 nurses and health professionals at the University of Vermont Medical Center, this union advocates for fair contracts for salaries and benefits, and fights for safe working conditions for its members. Vermont is a mandatory union participation state for nurses. |
| AL | Alabama State Nurses Association | https://alabamanurses.org/ | Professional development discounts, plus benefits and salary negotiation. Alabama is a right-to-work state. |
