National Nurses United

J U LY | A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 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 13 CALIFORNIA R egistered nurses at Chinese Hospital in San Francisco voted in August to join California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. This vote represents one of the last remaining nonunion hospitals in San Fran- cisco and is a historic victory. "Joining the union means that we will now have a stronger voice in patient care deci- sions," said Geraldine Leung, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit. "We can be better advocates for our patients and make sure policies are implemented with our input." "We are thrilled to welcome Chinese Hospital's registered nurses to the California Nurses Association," said Zenei Cortez, RN and president of CNA/NNU. "Your vote to join with your CNA colleagues throughout Califor- nia will have a big impact on your patients and your community. We look forward to working with you to attain the highest level of quality care for your patients." Key issues for the RNs in voting to join CNA were the desire for a stronger collective voice on patient care issues, especially in improving safe staffing based on the state's minimum nurse-to-patient ratios law and the severity of illness of individual patients. The nurses are also concerned about job security and they want to ensure that they receive competitive benefits and wages with other CNA-represented hospitals to retain and recruit experienced RNs. —Staff report Vote represents a historic win in San Francisco NATIONAL N ational nurses united en - dorsed enactment of a Green New Deal and a ban on assault weapons in September at a joint meeting of the leadership boards of NNU and the California Nurses Association/ National Nurses Organizing Committee. In calling for a comprehensive Green New Deal, NNU said it was a fundamental step to "tackle the crises of climate change and economic inequality." "We are facing an existential climate crisis," said NNU President Deborah Burger, RN. "Nurses see the impact in patients harmed by super storms, wildfires, epidemics, environmental pollution, and other impacts of the climate crisis today. It is long past time to act in the most expansive way possible, while also protecting workers and communities that are affected today and in the years to come." NNU, for example, has for more than a decade been sending volunteer RNs to communities affected by disasters exacer- bated by climate change. Most recently, NNU has sent 16 RN volunteers to date, with more to come, to provide basic medical aid to those harmed by Hurricane Dorian. Several of them are currently on the ground in Grand Bahama island. Climate experts have noted that the sever- ity of Dorian, including the Category 5 winds, flooding, and other effects, was accelerated by warm ocean waters and rising sea levels. NNU said it would favor a Green New Deal with major elements, including a "complete transition away from using fossil fuels by 2035—shifting to 100 percent clean renewable energy production"; a ban on fossil fuel projects, including pipelines, deep sea drilling, tar sands extraction, and fracking, coupled with investment into solar, wind, and geothermal energy produc- tion; a "fair and equitable just transition for workers from the fossil fuel industry" with guarantees for "a minimum of five years of continued compensation," includ- ing salary, health care coverage, pension contributions, as well as housing assistance, education, and job training and job place- ment for displaced workers; and significant investments in frontline communities to prepare for climate impacts, as well as drawing the links to combatting economic inequality. A Call to Ban Assault Weapons In urging legislative action to ban the prolif- eration of assault weapons, NNU executive council and CNA/NNOC board members emphasized how the growing calamity of mass shootings has become a significant public health crisis. "Nurses all too regularly care for patients with gun injuries," noted Jean Ross, RN, another NNU president. "But the massive injuries we are seeing today that result when people are shot with assault weapons is very different because of the very nature of these weapons and ammunition. The only purpose of these weapons is to kill human beings." "NNU has long defined public health and patient advocacy as the hallmark of our organization and our role as registered nurses," Ross said. "Protecting our patients, our families, and our neighbors endangered by mass shootings with assault weapons is a part of that advocacy." NNU leaders also noted how the increas- ing climate of hate makes mass shootings even more damaging by exacerbating fear, anxiety, and stress in the broader society. In addition, NNU will follow up with a further analysis of public health impacts of gun violence. —Staff report NNU board endorses Green New Deal and ban on assault weapons

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