National Nurses United

power to advocate for changes that will ensure all people have access to basic rights such as healthcare for all, living-wage jobs, a decent retirement, a strong public education, and freedom from hunger and homelessness. That was the main theme of our 2011 convention in San Francisco, which from September 14 to 17 drew more than 1,000 nurses from across the United States and RN representatives from South Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for four days of learning, shar- ing, activism, and fun. They also received visits from a number of digni- taries, including California Gov. Jerry Brown and Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, a longtime ally of the nurses. "Nurses are fundamentally powerful people," said RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of NNU, in remarks to convention atten- dees. "You take care of everyone, not only your patients, but your families and your communities. Feel it, own it, because, by God, this country needs you." The 2011 convention, which focused on our campaign to win a Main Street contract that ensures basic standards of living for all Americans, came at a pivotal moment for the country and the organi- zation. Days earlier, new figures released by the U.S. Bureau of the Census showed that the nation was experiencing its highest rate of poverty since 1993 (with one of six Americans living below the 2010 poverty line of $22,314 in household income for a family of four), some 22 percent of children living in poverty, and, of course, growing numbers of uninsured. NNU nurses, as patient advocates at the bed- side, in their communities, and for our wider society, are calling for a minor tax on Wall Street financial transactions to generate up to $350 billion a year in new revenues to fund social infrastructure pro- grams that are desperately needed now more than ever, but constant- ly on the chopping block at state and federal levels. At the same time, the wealthiest Americans and big corporations are richer than ever and sitting on trillions of dollars in cash. "It is not OK with me as a nurse that some- one suffers while someone else enjoys enor- mous wealth," said Martha Kuhl, an RN from California and a member of the NNU execu- tive council, when nurses were asked to share stories at the convention. Nurses were encouraged in and thanked for their important work by a number of public officials and nurses from abroad who came to address the convention. "You are a very power- ful force to communicate the truth to the peo- ple," said California Gov. Jerry Brown during the welcoming reception. "You are not afraid to mix it up a bit. Politics is a contact sport." Thursday morning, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom also praised the nurses' accomplishments. "The nurses are doing it. You're not talking, you're out there making it happen," said Newsom. "I thank you for your leadership, thank you for your faith, and thank you for your example." Nurse leaders from Australia, South Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom also shared experiences about threats to their unions and healthcare systems, and the effect of the global economic crisis on citizens and patients. Across the globe, governments are S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 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 N A T I O N A L N U R S E 13 W orking people around the world are suffering at the hands of multinational corporations, and registered nurses everywhere have the duty and Opposite page from top: Nurses unanimously voted for a resolution supporting a Main Street Contract for the American People and action on passing a tax on Wall Street financial transac- tions; Members of the NNU Council of Presidents and Executive Council greet nurses. This page: California RNs Michelle Berry, Edward Vittali, and nearly 1,000 RNs surrounded San Francisco City Hall to protest the Sutter hospital chain. Convention_REV 2 10/11/11 9:27 PM Page 13

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