United American Nurses Vote Brings 'Super Union' and New Chapter for RN Power
Closer to Achievement
SAINT PAUL, Minn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Formation of the largest
nurses' union and professional association in U.S. history took another major
step forward Monday with a unanimous endorsement of the affiliation agreement
vote by delegates representing 80 percent of the members of the United
American Nurses (UAN). Even as a number of state affiliates inexplicably
failed to attend the meeting, the national delegate assembly of the UAN moved
forward to create the 150,000 member RN "Super Union."
Meeting in Orlando, Fla., the UAN National Labor Assembly also elected Jean
Ross, RN, of the Minnesota Nurses Association as a Co- President of the NNU.
Joining her on the NNU leadership team from the UAN affiliates are Linda
Slattengren and Bernadine (Bunny) Engeldorf from Minnesota and Diane Goddeeris
from Michigan.
Coming out of this meeting, UAN members are even closer to joining with the
California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee and the
Massachusetts Nurses Association. The president and vice president of the UAN
walked out of the meeting, supporting the elected leaders and staff from some
of the affiliates who chose not to attend in a conspiracy to deny a quorum.
Yet, delegates attending from Minnesota, Michigan, District of Columbia and
Southern United Nurses were steadfast in their resolve to move forward. As
required by the UAN Constitution, there will be an expeditious mail ballot of
all the NLA delegates to approve the Consolidation and Affiliation Agreement.
"This brings us closer to the vision of our late president Cheryl Johnson of
reuniting these states and achieving the greater voice and collective power of
a national nurses movement our patients and our profession so rightly
deserve," said Ross. "We are committed to the NNU. We are so impressed with
the solidarity demonstrated by the delegates attending the NLA. We will
continue to reach out to those that weren't there and expect that they too
will see the amazing value of the NNU to organized nurses."
The founding convention of the new National Nurses United will be held five
weeks from today in Phoenix on Dec. 7. At that convention, leaders of National
Nurses United will commence plans to step up representation drives for
non-union nurses across the nation and to campaign for passage of S 1031, the
national RN ratio and rights legislation sponsored by the NNU.
"Our members are ecstatic to be aligning with other nurses across the nation
to dramatically change the face of healthcare and increase the ability of RNs
nationally, through the NNU, to improve patient protections and nursing
standards," said Linda Hamilton RN, President of the Minnesota Nurses
Association and a Director of the UAN. "Together we will be an unstoppable
force for defining and creating a new future for the nursing profession and
patient care."
UAN Director Sandra Falwell, DCNA, agrees, but adds, "We may be a smaller
association than the others, but we know this will be our opportunity to
expand our reach and create a new future for our members. It is unfortunate
that some affiliate leaders spent money to send staff but not send member
delegates to our meeting."
"In creating National Nurses United, we are working in concert with nurses
across the country to give direct-care nurses the power and influence to
make the changes necessary to protect our patients," said Michigan Nurses
Association President Jeff Breslin, RN.
This week's Labor Assembly follows convention ratification votes by CNA/NNOC
in September and Massachusetts Nurses Association last month.
It also follows months of work by leaders of the three organizations to create
a historic new organization which they say is especially critical in an era of
multi-state employers, attacks on patient care and nursing standards, the
ongoing effects of the national economic recession, and the need for a more
effective, unified national voice for RNs.
The Minnesota Nurses Association is the largest and fastest-growing union for
registered nurses in Minnesota and the Midwest. Representing more than 20,000
nurses, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that promotes high standards for
nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through
collective bargaining and legislative activity.
The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest, most effective union for RNs
in Michigan. As the voice of all registered nurses in Michigan, MNA advocates
for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community and at
the bargaining table. MNA is a constituent member of the United American
Nurses and an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
SOURCE Minnesota Nurses Association
Joni Ketter, +1-651-395-1401 (Minnesota), or Ann Sincox, +1-517-256-2312
(Michigan)
