Performed descriptively in order to determine the opinions of the nurses on privatization and labor unionism in health services

SUMMARYThis study was performed descriptively in order to determine the opinions of thenurses on privatization and labor unionism in health services.The sample population of the study was composed of 473 nurses of whom 218 wereworking on contractual and 255 civil servants from two universities hospitals. The data werecollected with a questionnaire form including 11 questions about demographic and workingcharacteristic together with labor union membership of the nurses; 13 questions aboutprivatization in health services and one question about labor unionism. The probable effect ofprivatization on health services and nurses were investigated on a 5-point Likert scale with 13items. The data were analyzed with chi-square test.Negatively effected areas due to privatization of health services according to nurseswere health expenses the comprise of free of charge services and inequality. The quality ofthe services, the solution of public health problems and applicability of the services were theareas intended to be positively affected. But approximately 2/3 of the nurses believe thatprivatization of health services would affect different dimensions of working lives of thenurses negatively / very negatively.Membership of an occupational organization and a labor union were %26.6 and %12.1respectively. The cause of these low rates of membership were performing nothing for theiroccupational area by the organization and mediation of the labor unions for political and idealogic activities. The answers of the nurses to the question ?nurses must be the members oflabor unions because of probable effect of privatization? were ?agree/ absolutely agree? for44.3% of nurses and ?undecided? for 43.1 of nurses.Membership rates of married nurses, over 28 years of age with a working life of morethan six years, civil servants and a member of an occupational organization were found to besignificantly high. Graduates of BSN program and member of a labor union, nurses agreewith the statement in a significantly high rate.Keywords: Privatization, health care reform, unions, nursing organization.