A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

What a union could've done for MTs - poorhouse

Posted: Jan 07, 2014

I kinda liked the big o' tire!

http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/07/news/goodyear-france/index.html

A union could not have stopped technology - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Unions can't prevent an industry from moving to automation.

Unions can negotiate - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
for fair holiday pay, PTO time, higher base wages.

Unions can protect a worker from harassment/threats. I have been on both sides. I had a good boss and a good company and there was no need for a union. I have worked for a bad company where one of the bosses took a dislike to me (I unknowingly embarrassed her by pointing out an error to her boss) who was bound and determined to get me fired. The union stepped in and protected me. I see both sides of the issue, but this industry would greatly benefit from a union. Restaurant workers are organizing and even home day care providers. I guess you have to hit rock bottom first.

A good example is nurses. Wow, what a difference unions made! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
..

Maybe marketing is the answer - the other white meat

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Farm producers are a fragmented group like MTs. The pork producers came up with a "check off" and paid for their other white meat advertising. The Dairy producers in each state have something similar and promote their dairy products.

The thing about bringing work back to the US, is that you need public support. We are now "buying" America more. We need a marketing agency to promote US transcription to the hospitals and doctors, driven by the patients and "patriots" who believe in "buy America."

While I'm in favor of unions - old and burned out

[ In Reply To ..]
they have not been able to save the jobs that can be sent off shore. Look at all the garment workers as well as the auto workers before the jobs started coming back.

good points but dont get me started on nurses. UGH - overpaid and think they are

[ In Reply To ..]
God's gift to the earth. can't stand em.

Technology - Anon2

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It is probably true that unions step in to protect workers' rights. However, I am familiar with several hospitals in my state and neighboring states whose MTs were union members. Those MTs lost their jobs when their facilities outsourced or went to voice recognition/point and click systems. The union did nothing to help them keep their jobs. I know a lot of people think a union would work for MTs but I don't quite see how. 99% of the work force seems to be at home, so as far as working conditions that's difficult for a union to enforce. The other thing is that your employer needs to be a "union shop" and pay union wages. How many MTSOs can you see doing this? There is not enough work to go around now for everyone, and more would just get sent offshore. The existing MTSOs would have to close because they would not be able to get new accounts (I think that is already a problem) and would not be able to afford to pay the higher wages. They are trying to please their clients, many of whom seem fine with getting the work done as cheaply as possible. I'm not trying to be a naysayer, but there are so many factors coming into play that need to be considered.

I think that a union would have worked.... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
via lobbying for legislation to keep our medical records from being offshored, maybe part of the HIPAA legislation.

Shoulda woulda coulda doesnt matter too late - sm

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Technology won anyway..And obamacare cutting doctors income will be the end, they are typing their own reports or the med students will be doing it here soon. We are done, stick a fork in it and accept the fate..

many moons ago - i remember

[ In Reply To ..]
There was something going around that I had signed that said I would be part of the MT union if it started and then it kind of faded away. This was 10 years ago or more. I guess it never happened.

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Jan 18, 2013

nm ...

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Apr 19, 2011

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Jan 31, 2011

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The only person REALLY interested is apparently the person who recently posted. ****** This followup is posted mostly to point out the REALITY and that's that MTs will NEVER unionize :) It's just a topic that comes up, everybody creates fervor for their POV and then it all goes away (thank goodness)! ...

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