National Nurses United

J A N U A R Y | F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 1 9 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 11 A nniversaries are a powerful opportunity to look back and reflect. So I couldn't be more proud to stand here, exactly one year ago when I became your executive director, and take stock of all of our joint accomplishments. What a year it has been! Our unity is our strength, and I'd like to convey to all of you, from the bottom of my heart, "thank you" for making this first year of our transition a success. We've made unprecedented gains in our work, both in the ambitiousness of our objectives and in our determination to grow our solidarity and our unions. Together, this past year, we've proven the union-busting Janus Supreme Court case can never tear apart the mighty nurses. This is thanks to our powerful internal organiz- ing campaigns, recruiting and developing hundreds of new RN leaders, including huge numbers of young RN leaders. And at a time when unions were assumed to be in "concession mode," we again shifted the paradigm and have made major gains in our contract victories. Every victory at the bargaining table has been a result of the deep work we have done throughout our facilities in strengthening our solidarity. Looking back at our organizing efforts, I'm also proud to say they have been totally off the charts. This year, we welcomed thousands of new union sisters and brothers into NNU. And kudos to the Minnesota Nurses Associa- tion for achieving a historic organizing win in North Dakota. Nurses there are now engaged in a powerful first contract campaign, with the community's support. We've also had incredible successes organizing thousands of RNs and thousands of community members in support of health care as a human right! This organizing has contributed to our unparalleled ability to undertake ground- breaking health and safety work at state and national levels. From legislation on preventing workplace violence, to advancing safe staffing, we continue to be the authori- tative voice of nurse, health care worker, and patient advocacy. In February, we worked with Rep. Joe Courtney to introduce federal workplace violence prevention legislation so that we can stop the assaults on nurses and health care workers before they even happen. That bill, H.R. 1309, enjoyed the backing of at least 26 House cosponsors right off the bat and is poised to quickly pick up additional Congressional support. Our decades of organizing have also finally culminated this year in a Medicare for All bill we can wholeheartedly wrap our arms around and fight to win. Introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal in February, H.R. 1384 is the most comprehensive Medicare for All bill to date, and we played an important role in helping define the content, which fully guarantees health care security for everyone. As I write this message, our Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN) volunteers are also demonstrating our commitment to creating a more just and humane society. At RNRN, we often say that our nurses will deliver aid in disaster zones long after the cameras are gone. But this year, we arrived in advance of the headlines. Our nurse volunteers have been in Tucson, Ariz. providing aid to asylum-seekers released from federal deten- tion since early February. Our nurse volun- teers worked with families in Tucson who had been deprived of food and water, and had been unable to shower while being held in sub- standard conditions. Nurses are working into June, providing basic medical care, and deliv- ering compassionate support to people who had been deeply traumatized. These nurses, who bore witness to the inhumanity at our borders, continue to speak out about the unjust treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers. We are truly making a difference. On this milestone occasion, I want to thank you all again for everything we have been able to accomplish together—from the big wins, to the pivotal, one-on-one conversations that lead to change. I'm looking forward to the next year and beyond with all of you. Let's keep this beautiful work moving forward! Bonnie Castillo, RN is executive director of National Nurses United. Bonnie Castillo, RN Executive Director, National Nurses United A Year in the Life Taking stock of our accomplishments in my first year as executive director This organizing has contributed to our unparalleled ability to undertake groundbreaking health and safety work at state and national levels. From legislation on preventing workplace violence, to advancing safe staffing, we continue to be the authoritative voice of nurse, health care worker, and patient advocacy.

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