Cover 4
9/1/06
12:14 PM
Page 1
Thinking about retiring,
but want to stay in the
loop with fellow RNs
and your union?
Now there's a way.
We're pleased to announce that the
California Nurses Association and
National Nurses Organizing
Committee has created a Retiree
Division. Just because you're
retired doesn't mean you can't
help. Your knowledge, experience,
and expertise are needed more
than ever.
Registered nurses are facing
unprecedented perils to their
profession, to their independent
judgment, and to their ability
to advocate for their patients.
The impending National Labor
Relations Board decision that
could take away RNs' union rights
by making them supervisors is
just one example. As an experienced
RN, you know the struggles our
profession has endured over the
years. Many of you, through
CNA/NNOC, have worked to
achieve Professional Performance
Committees, clinical ladders,
portable IRAs, every other
weekend off, retiree health benefits,
defined-benefit pensions, and job
security. These were hard-fought
gains, and
could be lost
by today's directcare RNs if we
don't provide support.
Remember, each one
of us will one day need
that RN to advocate for us
when we can no longer
advocate for ourselves.
Here are just a few examples of activities Retiree Division
members can do:
>Visit your legislator's field office
>Write letters to the editor of
your local paper
>Speak at a high school Career
Day or at a nursing school
>Join CNA/NNOC rallies
You may have additional ideas,
and we want to hear what you
think would support and protect
our profession.
For more information on
the Retiree Division, contact
Kay McVay, RN and CNA/NNOC
president emeritus, at (510) 2732240 or kmcvay@calnurses.org.