The last several decades have seen steady stagnation for union membership in our industry with just 6.8% of healthcare and social assistance workers belonging to a union in 2025. And no growth over multiple decades, during a time when all other costs have increased? That spells trouble for any union.

Because of this decline, unions are trying harder than ever to gain new dues-paying members. Union organizing teams and in-house employee organizers have been known to use nursing concerns such as patient care and staffing ratios just to get their foot in the door. Once there, they may make highly persuasive and unrealistic promises with no guarantees all in an effort to gain new members.