20 N A T I O N A L N U R S E 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 J U LY | A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
N
urses at facilities all across the
country participated in a national
day of action on July 21 to demand
that employers address problems high-
lighted by the Covid-19 pandemic and
prioritize patient safety and workplace pro-
tections. RNs held informational pickets,
shift change actions, and proudly held signs
and wore stickers and face masks proclaim-
ing, "Patients First."
At the time, tens of thousands of
National Nurses United RNs were in the
process of bargaining contracts that govern
safe patient care conditions and their own
workplace safety. Winning these protections
in writing was crucial because employers
have proven during the pandemic that they
will continue to prioritize their bottom line
over occupational and public health and
safety.
"Nurses across the country are standing
up and demanding critical change," said
NNU President Deborah Burger, RN. "Let's
be clear that with the number of Covid cases
going back up in some areas of the country,
and more contagious and deadly variants
spreading, the pandemic is not over. Our
employers must act today to address serious
issues in our facilities."
RNs hold national day
