National Nurses United

18 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 O C T O B E R | N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 "When we speak to our elected officials, our voices are amplified because we are members of NNU," said outgoing NNU president Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, RN, at the convention's opening night event, celebrating visionary union leaders who were retiring and passing the torch to a new generation. "It's so exciting to be here: not only to reflect on the incredible strides union nurses have taken to be here, but to look forward," said outgoing NNU president Jean Ross, RN, sharing that her greatest lesson learned is that to lead effectively, "you have to be prepared to move through fear"—to dream big and stand up to authority, which is exactly what NNU nurses do best. Outgoing NNU President Deborah Burger, RN shared her belief that big wins result from doing the hard work of organizing and stacking smaller building blocks. A perfect example, she said, is the formation of NNU by affiliates first breaking from the American Nurses Association, and then NNU joining forces with nurses around the world to form Global Nurses United. In reflecting on how the convention theme "Visionaries" related to the work of NNU, outgoing NNU Secretary-Treasurer Martha Kuhl, RN emphasized that NNU nurses dare to envision a new, healthier reality, fighting to achieve "goals that seem impossible." The opening night events looked back at all NNU has accom- plished, while looking forward to the care-centered world today's NNU nurses are continuing to build, setting the tone for two power- ful days of RNs across the country learning from one another, and standing together in greater solidarity. "We're thrilled that all of you visionary nurse leaders from across the country could be here, building on the momentum in the UMC nurses' home community," said NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, RN, in a keynote speech celebrating nurses for holding the line on all the issues that matter to patients and nurses. First-time convention delegate Russel Pinsker, an RN at Maimo- nides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. and a member of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), said he was especially excited to strategize with NNU nurses on how to keep advancing on federal ratios. The convention was the perfect place to do that, with a panel discussion on building nurse power to win on safe staffing and other critical issues. "We can all be proud that our unified national presence has resulted in more support for our federal staff- ing legislation than ever before," said panelist Jamie Brown, RN, president of the Michigan Nurses Association and a new president of NNU. In another panel, RNs from across the country shared concerns, knowl- edge, and strategies around the rapid implementation of artificial intelli- gence and other untested, unregulated technologies in their workplaces. "The reality is that the hospital industry thinks their investments in technology can make up for their failure to invest in their own staff," said Minnesota Nurses Association's Mary Turner, RN, also a new president of NNU. Panelists shared how NNU nurses are fight- ing back by lobbying Congress, including in testimony by Castillo to a U.S. Senate committee last October, for strong regulations and protections. Of course, it wouldn't be an NNU convention without nurses passing some critical resolutions. This year's resolutions focused on standing up to unregulated and untested A.I. and other tech in health care, on nurses shaping the future of a powerful labor move- ment, and on RNs continuing to be visionary advocates for health and justice. But what really made this year's convention unforgetta- ble was nurses embodying their collective power by standing with their UMC colleagues on the picket line, supporting them in their ongoing fight for a fair first contract. "I have never seen a more beautiful sea of people, and I celebrate Mardi Gras!" said UMC RN Hayley Dupree, announcing to a roar of support that because management refused to come to the table, she and her colleagues had just voted to authorize a strike. "I guess UMC management thought they could intimidate nurses by refusing to bargain in good faith. But you know what we always say: When you take on one of us, you take on ALL of us!" said NYSNA and NNU President Nancy Hagans, RN. Castillo praised the UMC nurses for "courage, compassion, and tenacity" that have uplifted nurses throughout the South. In an especially moving moment, Brooke Tompkins, an RN from Children's Hospital New Orleans LCMC Health, shared with the crowd that the UMC nurses had inspired RNs at her facility to also organize with NNU. As she described how her employer has been trying to break their resolve with union-busting tactics, NNU nurses shouted, "We got your back!" "For nurses who want to organize, we're going to be right beside them," said NNU President and California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee President Cathy Kennedy, RN. Jennifer Giles, an RN at the VA in Tuscaloosa, Ala., echoed that support, saying, "Our word to nurses in the South where unions are typically not favored is: Don't be afraid. NNU has your back in solidarity." As the RNs wrapped up their show of collective power, UMC reg- istered nurse Terry McGillis had some words of wisdom that summed up the convention as a whole. "Look to your right and to your left," she told the sea of red-clad NNU nurses. "This is the source of our power." Kari Jones writes for National Nurses United.

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