New national nurses union forms

Published

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

A new national union of up to 154,000 registered nurses was created in Phoenix today, replacing one of the most aggressive nurse unions in the industry and combining its membership with two other nurse-only labor groups to form National Nurses United. ...

...The NNU will be governed by three co-presidents drawn from the three founding organizations. The Massachusetts group brings 23,000 members, the UAN brings up to 45,000 and the CNA/NNOC includes 86,000 nurses. Higgins said the three-member presidency was formed as "an equal partnership." ...

http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20091207/FREE/312079955#

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hope the new union does more of addressing healthcare reform and less of collecting member dues.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Nurses unions merge, back healthcare overhaul

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Three nurses unions merged on Monday to form the largest-ever labor organization for U.S. medical professionals, which is expected to wield greater clout in collective bargaining and the national healthcare debate....

...Deborah Burger, president elect of the NNU and head of its largest constituent union, the California Nurses Association, called the merger a big step.

"It's a huge day ... not only for the nursing profession, but also for our patients," she said. "We will be able to go to the halls of Congress and advocate for stronger patient protection, for better healthcare."...

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B63VW20091207

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I hope the new union does more of addressing healthcare reform and less of collecting member dues.

Health care reform - REAL reform that puts patients and caregivers, not corporate profit, at the center of the system - is what we are all about. This is going to bring a very different world.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

anything for our patients is good for me

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.
I hope the new union does more of addressing healthcare reform and less of collecting member dues.

In order to do the former it has to do the latter .

As in all things you don't get something for nothing .

Me I view my dues as an investment , that has already paid me back 10x my investment .Others in the same locale may get the same rates , because employers match pay rates , but if you did not have those union rates to match everybodies income would be less . The advantage for the union nurse is in the stability they can offer nurses , knowing that there workplace enviroment will not change from one day to the next and that the next day they go to work they will not be called to the office , then escorted off the facility , minus job .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Health care reform - REAL reform that puts patients and caregivers, not corporate profit, at the center of the system - is what we are all about. This is going to bring a very different world.

Thanks for clarifying. I want to see REAL reform too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.

For those who wish to see real reform , become involved in the NNU , it will be rewarding for you and us .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.
For those who wish to see real reform , become involved in the NNU , it will be rewarding for you and us .

A great show of solidarity, thank you!!!

Diane, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in mental health.
Health care reform - REAL reform that puts patients and caregivers, not corporate profit, at the center of the system - is what we are all about. This is going to bring a very different world.

Do you want this different world? When there are no more rich or corporations left to squeeze and there is only one employer and one union, who do you think gets squeezed?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.
Do you want this different world? When there are no more rich or corporations left to squeeze and there is only one employer and one union, who do you think gets squeezed?

With all due respect, WHEN you are an RN "working in the trenches" continually short staffed (compromising pt safety), you may feel differently.

Best Regards,

Diane, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.

I have no any problem with wealth or corporations per se as long as that wealth and power is gained legitimately and then not used to to reduce the relatively little wealth and influence of the workers and mom and pop small businesses .

KPA are you really happy with the present situation , where CEO's and wealthy control the lives of the 90% who are not unionized . They seem to be steering the economy well , with cycles of boom to bust . If these CEO's are so wonderful how come they never , forsee the problems that bring their businesses down ?.

The NNU will try to ensure employers stick to the applicable laws and policies of their facilities . NNU will advocate for laws they feel beneficial to Nurses and Patients .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion