NNU Membership

In general, union membership has steadily fallen since the heydays of the late '40s and '50s, causing many unions to scramble for new dues-paying member wherever they could. The NNU unions joined together partly to combat declining membership numbers.

Several state nurses' associations disaffiliated from the UAN cutting the Union's membership number by half. And the MNA was struggling to recruit new members, adding just over 1,600 members in the last 10 years. The CNA has grown over the years, but not without controversy - the union has been accused of raiding other unions for members.

representation

Figures compiled BNA, show the CNA, MNA and UAN combined filed just over 124 representation petitions for election with the NLRB in the last 10 years. However, the Unions wound up winning only about 49% of the time - not even half.

*Other: Petitions were pending, cancelled, withdrawn or lost by the union.
Source: Bureau of National Affairs (BNA PLUS)

Unsatisfied Customers

And rather than adding new members, the CNA, MNA and UAN were involved in a combined 26 decertification petitions since 2000, where union members decide whether to kick the union out. The Unions were only able to win 10 of the decertification petitions filed, again not a good sign.

*Other: Petitions were pending, cancelled, withdrawn or lost by the union.
Source: Bureau of National Affairs (BNA PLUS)

Political Spending

Overall, unions haven't been very lucky when comes to winning elections, so now they're trying a different route - a political route. They're spending millions of dollars each year to change the law, hoping to make it easier for unions to organize employees.

Since 2005, the CNA, MNA and UAN have spent more than $33 million on political causes. And where's this money coming from? Part of it is being funded by the dues and fees the Unions collect from its members - who may not know or agree with how their money is being spent.