National Nurses United

NewsBriefs:May 5/27/08 12:32 PM Page 5 classes on disaster relief, single-payer healthcare, and safe staffing ratios. Texas nurses mobilized around the issue of nurseto-patient ratios, and with the help of CNA/NNOC in Texas, introduced ratios legislation to the state government in Austin. The Texas Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2007, modeled on California's landmark ratios legislation, was introduced to the Texas Legislature on Feb. 21, 2007. While the act was not passed into law before the end of the 2007 legislative session, Texas nurse activists are already mobilizing their state representatives to vote the act into law as soon as the 2009 legislative session begins. Ratios were a significant part of why Merritt was interested in bringing CNA/NNOC to his hospital. "I've been following nurseto-patient ratios since their inception in California," he said. "At first I had a lot of questions, but it reversed the nursing shortage, and numerous studies have shown they provide a better patient outcome and keep nurses' licenses safe. There are no tangible drawbacks to ratios. Nurses and patients in other states deserve that opportunity." With ratios legisanti-union state, were high: "I lation on the agenda want to extend our congratu"It is way past time for 2009 and the molations ... to the valiant nurses for collective bargaining mentum of the Cyin Houston who prevailed for RNs and patients Fair victory behind against a strong employer in Texas. Here we them, CNA/NNOC campaign. As someone who go, y'all—this win Texas members are led healthcare organizing is huge, just like the fully dedicating themcampaigns in Texas many state of Texas!" selves to organizing years ago, I know what you efforts in other parts were up against." of the state. CNA/ The seeds of organizing were first planted in Houston three years ago NNOC Texas is poised to secure many more in 2005, when hundreds of RNs were dis- bargaining units in the near future, with active patched by CNA/NNOC to the Houston members and steering committees in facilities Astrodome to provide volunteer relief efforts in Austin, Dallas, Brownsville, and San Antoin the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and nio. CyFair RNs are now forming a bargaining Rita. CNA/NNOC's RN Response Network (RNRN) grew from meeting the challenges committee and polling coworkers on what of the devastation wrought by the hurri- issues they would most like to see addressed canes, and RNs from all over the country, by a contract. For some RNs, the election embodies the including Texas, signed up as volunteers. CNA/NNOC soon responded to Texas realization of a career-long dream: "Twentynurses' requests for continuing education six years ago, I wanted to make a change in M AY 2 0 0 8 W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G nursing and was discouraged," said Debra Dietz, a local Houston RN. "Now I see power in our hands to improve the profession of nursing from our hearts. Now is our chance to do the nursing we want to do. I want to be part of the change to make patient care the best it can be." Jupio is one of many CyFair RNs who is retiring soon and takes comfort in knowing that bargaining will address retiree benefits. "We enjoy working at this hospital, and we take pride in knowing that so many nurses choose to stay here for a long time. Having a good retirement for those nurses is something we'd all like to be able to lean on." Plaudits came from CNA/NNOC members across the state. "This union is a guarantee for patient safety, finally, in the state of Texas," Danielle Magana, a San Antonio RN, said. "The bedside RN now has a voice!" Kelly Green, RN, a CNA/NNOC member from Austin, is looking forward to the bargaining process, knowing that the success of Houston's nurses has huge significance for RNs across the state. "Let the negotiations begin," she wrote in an email to her fellow RNs. "It is way past time for collective bargaining for RNs and patients in Texas. Here we go, y'all — this win is huge, just like the state of Texas!" Green's statements echo the widely felt sentiments that while the Houston bargaining unit is significant in and of itself, it also bodes well for continuing organizing efforts across the state and across the country. Like Green, Sweeney of the AFL-CIO understands that Cypress Fairbanks RNs are just the first chapter in what will be a proud legacy of unionized Texas RNs, saying, "This is an important breakthrough for nurses and healthcare workers, and also for the entire labor movement." Jupio, like nurses across the state of Texas, knows that her reason for unionizing remains the most important thing on her post-election agenda: her patients. "It's a huge relief to just have the election behind us, so that we can move forward and make progressive improvements for our patients." —erika larson REGISTERED NURSE 5

• Cover