If you were making $ 18/hr in 1999 when our union was formed, what would be a fair wage for you in 2015 ?
To answer this question you should consider 3 factors:
- Increases in cost of living over time,
- Depreciation of Dollar over time, and
- Value of your Experience.
The “True Value of Dollar Over Time” calculator reflects the increases in cost of living and depreciation of Dollar over time. As you can see, the $ 18 dollars in 1999 have the same value and buying power as $ 47.13 in 2015.
Therefore, in 2015 you should be making at least $ 47.13/hr plus the value of your experience (16 years between 1999 and 2015).
I trust you would agree that 50 cents/hr for each year of experience, which comes to additional $ 8/hr, is more than fair to our Employer.
So, according to our Fair-Wage-Prediction model, in 2015 your base pay rate should be at least $ 55.13/hr ($47.13 + $8.00).
If you are making $ 55/hr stop reading and send a “Thank You” card to your union president. Otherwise, ask him to do a better job. Tell him that you deserve to be represented the way California RNs are being represented by their Union Leaders !
California RN wages are in line with our fair-wage-prediction model used above.
At unionized California hospitals, a full time RN has the following wages and benefits:
- $140,000/year (which is over $ 67/hr) on average,
- Employer-paid pension worth $84,000.00
per year, - 100% Employer-paid monthly Health Insurance Premiums (means that RNs pay absolutely nothing for their Health Insurance),
- Up to 40 paid days off per year,
- And Nurses are being treated as Superstars !
Need a proof ?
Watch this 3-4 min. video where the California hospital’s Spokesperson talks about it:
According to 2010 statement issued by the CHS, their California nurses make $67.66/hr as well.
On average, comparing to us, California RN wages are 234 % higher, and that is not counting Free Health Insurance, pension, and other benefits.
We often hear a theory that California RNs make more money because the cost of living in California is higher. Let see if that is the case.
You can use the “2015 Cost of Living by State” calculator which is based on the latest 2015 official statistics and economic data, to see the difference in cost of living. If you are making $ 28.85/hr (or $60,000/year) in Ohio, you will need $ 40.68/hr or $84,614/year to maintain the same lifestyle in California.
The difference ($ 140,000 – $ 84,614) equals to $ 55,386/year or $26.63/hr. So, as you can see, even after adjusting for the cost of living, the California RNs are still making significantly more than you do. That is $55,386/year or $26.63/hr more !
It means that unlike our president, California Union Leaders are working very hard, and do a spectacular job in representing their Nurses.
You deserve the same !
The fair wage for you should be at least $ 55/hr.