Washington State Rally

Nurses General Nursing

Published

This is great! 3 different nursing unions are joining hands for a rally.

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SEATTLE, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Registered nurses of the state's three largest

nursing and health care unions: Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA),

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 NW, and United Food and

Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 141 are joining forces to kick off National

Nurses Week (May 6 - 12) and demand quality care, safe hours and safe

staffing. Hundreds of nurses are expected to attend the rally on May 6th

from 1 - 2 p.m. at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle. Representative Jim

McDermott of Seattle will deliver the keynote address.

Registered nurses make up the majority of health care professionals in the

U.S. with over 2.2 million nationwide and over 50,000 here in Washington

state. We are currently in the midst of a nursing shortage, with the average

age of nurses at 45 years old and less than 10% of the workforce under the

age of 30.

Janice E. Bussert, BSN, RN, President of WSNA, stresses that, "We demand

better working conditions in order to attract and retain experienced nurses.

With forced overtime, nurses are working more than 16 hours -- that is not

safe patient care nor is it safe for nurses!" Marilyn Savage, RN, President

of UFCW Local 141 calls attention to the growing hazards of the nursing

profession, "Registered nurses are at great risk for a variety of workplace

injuries ranging from back pain, needlestick injuries, latex allergy and

workplace violence." Diane Sosne, RN, President of SEIU 1199NW warns that,

"In order to protect our nurses and secure quality care, we must have safe

staffing at all the health care facilities. Patient care is compromised when

there is inadequate staffing of registered nurses."

This rally is an opportunity to recognize the important contribution of the

nurses in our community and also to highlight the concerns surrounding

quality patient care that has been jeopardized in recent years through forced

overtime and short staffing. Registered nurses will be speaking about their

experiences on these critical issues. Nurse legislators in the Washington

State Legislature will be recognized for their contribution and efforts

toward quality health care. The Seattle Labor Chorus will be providing the

entertainment.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here

http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X91944348

SOURCE Washington State Nurses Association

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This is great! 3 different nursing unions are joining hands for a rally.

----------------------------

SEATTLE, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Registered nurses of the state's three largest

nursing and health care unions: Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA),

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 NW, and United Food and

Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 141 are joining forces to kick off National

Nurses Week (May 6 - 12) and demand quality care, safe hours and safe

staffing. Hundreds of nurses are expected to attend the rally on May 6th

from 1 - 2 p.m. at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle. Representative Jim

McDermott of Seattle will deliver the keynote address.

Registered nurses make up the majority of health care professionals in the

U.S. with over 2.2 million nationwide and over 50,000 here in Washington

state. We are currently in the midst of a nursing shortage, with the average

age of nurses at 45 years old and less than 10% of the workforce under the

age of 30.

Janice E. Bussert, BSN, RN, President of WSNA, stresses that, "We demand

better working conditions in order to attract and retain experienced nurses.

With forced overtime, nurses are working more than 16 hours -- that is not

safe patient care nor is it safe for nurses!" Marilyn Savage, RN, President

of UFCW Local 141 calls attention to the growing hazards of the nursing

profession, "Registered nurses are at great risk for a variety of workplace

injuries ranging from back pain, needlestick injuries, latex allergy and

workplace violence." Diane Sosne, RN, President of SEIU 1199NW warns that,

"In order to protect our nurses and secure quality care, we must have safe

staffing at all the health care facilities. Patient care is compromised when

there is inadequate staffing of registered nurses."

This rally is an opportunity to recognize the important contribution of the

nurses in our community and also to highlight the concerns surrounding

quality patient care that has been jeopardized in recent years through forced

overtime and short staffing. Registered nurses will be speaking about their

experiences on these critical issues. Nurse legislators in the Washington

State Legislature will be recognized for their contribution and efforts

toward quality health care. The Seattle Labor Chorus will be providing the

entertainment.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here

http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X91944348

SOURCE Washington State Nurses Association

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats and thanks to all nurses who showed up for this rally, despite an insanely busy weekend in Seattle including: opening day of boating season, Mariners' games, major construction on several main freeways/ highways, and a planned global trade demonstration, all of which made traffic impossible.

The rally merited mention and footage on each of the major 3 networks' 11 PM newcasts. Good work!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats and thanks to all nurses who showed up for this rally, despite an insanely busy weekend in Seattle including: opening day of boating season, Mariners' games, major construction on several main freeways/ highways, and a planned global trade demonstration, all of which made traffic impossible.

The rally merited mention and footage on each of the major 3 networks' 11 PM newcasts. Good work!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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