National Nurses United

NewsBriefs. Oct 2006 10/11/06 10:42 AM Page 12 NewsBriefs Maine Nurses Climb Aboard with CNA/NNOC t's official. The California Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee now represent registered nurses coast to coast, after representatives of some 1,600 members of the Maine State Nurses Association voted Sept. 29 to join CNA/NNOC and its active agenda for RN and patient advocacy. "The vote reflected the recognition by MSNA members of the need for a unified, powerful national organization functioning as an effective voice in reforming our healthcare systems," said Cecile Martin, RN and vice president and chief steward of an MSNA local. "As registered professional nurses and as citizens, we have a duty to work toward the goal of universal access to healthcare and in assuring the safe delivery of nursing care. It is an exciting time as we seize the opportunity of becoming pioneers in the frontier of health reform." The unamimous vote by attendees of MSNA's annual conference in Bar Harbor, Maine capped more than a year of discussion, negotiation, and preparation for the merger and formalized a provisional affiliation that the Maine board of directors had approved this summer. I The process started in 2005 when the board decided to explore whether MSNA could team up with a national union in order to have greater influence on nationwide issues of nursing and healthcare. After reviewing what groups were out there, the choice was clear: CNA/NNOC. "One nurses union shared our principles and mission and was committed to the RN collective patient advocacy role in building a national movement," said Deb Bumbaugh, RN and MSNA Region 3 director. Talks initiated, and both organizations were convinced they could achieve more of their shared agenda by working together rather than separately. Besides being able to better coordinate responses to national nursing practice threats such as the Kentucky River decision, which is expected to deprive MAINE 12 REGISTERED NURSE W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G millions of RNs of their union rights, the organizations can pool collective bargaining and organizing resources. "Maine nurses understand that the safety of patients and working conditions are intrinsically related and, therefore, work continuously to safeguard both," said Deb Kerr, RN, executive committee member, and MSNA secretary. "By this affiliation with the strongest nurses union in the country, we come closer to realizing our goals for patients, nurses, and indeed, the citizens of Maine." CNA/NNOC leaders were equally enthused. "We're thrilled to welcome the Maine nurses into the CNA/NNOC family," said Deborah Burger, RN and CNA/NNOC president. "This vote symbolizes the growing strength of our national movement of direct-care RNs." Maine nurses say they look forward to winning some of the same patient advocacy protections that California already has, such as safe RN-to-patient ratios, for their state, and in fighting for universal healthcare with a single standard of care for everyone. Concluded MSNA President Maureen Caristi, RN, "This marks an exciting new chapter and a historic moment for the Maine State Nurses Association." —staff report OCTOBER 2006

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