25
The "Vote No" Committee
Myth #14
An essential item found in every anti-union consultant's bag of
tricks is the "Vote No" committee. In most CNA/NNU elections,
a "Vote No" committee made up of a handful of RNs from your
hospital mysteriously appears to distribute anti-union literature.
They go under such names as "I Stand with (hospital name),"
"Guardians of (hospital name)", or "Our Vote, Our Voice".
This "Vote No" committee usually uses a homemade style for leaflets
so it won't look like the hospital is producing the material. In this
day and age of the Internet, a website often springs up.
Its primary purpose is to create the impression that RNs are deeply
divided on the issue of organizing, when in fact they are usually a
very small handful of RNs brought together and encouraged by man-
agement and the union busters.
The "Vote No" committee may be recruited from among RNs who
once had a bad experience with another union or are philosophical-
ly opposed to all unions for religious or ideological reasons.
The "Vote No" committee is given free rein to distribute materials
and campaign against CNA/NNU throughout the hospital, in con-
trast to a policy of harassment applied to pro-union nurses.
The creation of a well-respected pro-CNA/NNU committee of RN
leaders representing every unit in your hospital is the essential
element for success in winning your election.
Truth:
