Nursing input has greatly increased through the efforts of the Union and this input has been very effective in bringing a bedside caregiver's perspective to the table. Research demonstrates that there is a close relationship between improved working conditions, the solution of economic problems, job security and the ability of professionals to better practice their profession. Unionism has opened many doors for nurses and nursing, the most important of which is providing a voice on issues that affect the profession. Unionism has also had a profound influence on the image of nursing so that nurses are now viewed as an assertive, well informed and collectively influential group. Being a union member and professional is not incompatible.
Nurses can best achieve their goals by being both.
As the only Nurses' Union in Manitoba one of our most important roles is to maintain nursing as an attractive profession for those currently practicing and those who may enter nursing in the future. The Manitoba Nurses' Union continually strives for improvements in working conditions, wages and benefits through the negotiating of new Collective Agreements. Our 11,000 nurses province-wide have a written, binding contract between our Union and employers which specifies the terms and conditions of employment at the workplace. The Collective Agreement obligates the employer to be fair and reasonable where it affects the employees' job and future. Protecting Our Members Aside from negotiating Collective Agreements for better salaries, benefits and working conditions, MNU represents nurses' grievances against employers.