National Nurses United

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 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 11 There is power in a factory, power in the land Power in the hands of a worker But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand There is power in a union — Billy Bragg, "There Is Power In A Union" T here is power in collective voices and collective advocacy. There is power in a union. The latest lesson was NNU's latest dramatic achievement, the most comprehensive and toughest safeguards for Ebola in the nation for nurses, other healthcare workers, and patients. The regulations, adopted by California's Department of Occupational Safety and Health in November, as directed by Califor- nia Gov. Jerry Brown, are the direct result of two months of public, collective advocacy by NNU and CNA members. Cal-OSHA's standards are now a model for the nation—and a benchmark for workplace protection and public safety for all the other epidemics and infectious diseases sure to follow at a time of climate change, mutating viruses, and antibiotic-resistant superbugs. But it never would have happened without the concerted activity of NNU and CNA— standing strong for nurse and public safety while the hospital industry, and unions and politicians that are in thrall to the industry, fought against safeguards that would have continued to leave nurses dangerously exposed. It never would have happened except for the nurses who marched on their CEOs in hospital after hospital, who held candlelight vigils in town squares, and rallies at govern- ment offices, who stood out in freezing cold, and turned out 100,000 strong on our inter- national Ebola awareness day. And the nurses who stood before TV cameras in small towns and big cities who were willing to speak out for the safety of their patients and their communities, but also their families, colleagues, and themselves. With the recognition that if we don't stop Ebola or any infectious disease in the hospitals and health centers, we won't stop it anywhere. Our victory bears witness to the well- earned credibility of nurses in the eyes of the public, augmented by our unshakable commitment to the public interest, not the corporate business model. This achievement is also a testament to the commitment of NNU nurses to extend their patient advocacy to the public arena and the streets, the unity of the NNU nurses and their bond with their union, our union. While others were silent—and hospitals put budget goals and profit margins over work- place safety—we acted. With public initiatives and actions across the nation, demanding "not one more patient, not one more nurse." When hospitals failed to put the safety of their workers and communities first, we went to our elected leaders and regulatory agencies, and to the public through the media. In California, nurses went directly to the governor who listened to story after story from nurses from every major healthcare system in the state about how deeply unpre- pared and resistant their hospitals were. And he moved from listening to action.That's how representative government should work, but as we know, far too seldom does (except for those in the corporate suites). Our Ebola fight is, of course, not over. A large ocean did not stop Ebola from coming to the United States. The virus will not be intimidated by state borders either. We will continue to press for the federal government, particularly the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other states to follow California's lead. In California, we know from long experience that many in the hospital industry will seek to roll back or evade the guidelines, and it will be up to nurses, again, to monitor and enforce the state's standards. Ebola exposed the seamy underbelly of a fragmented, fragmented, callous U.S. healthcare system which seldom acts for public safety unless compelled by union contracts or, yes, government regulations. Ebola also shed a spotlight on the failure of global governments to properly fund and support international relief work and health agencies while promoting the disastrous policies of austerity, and the dangerous consequences of global inequality of wealth. But Ebola also offered a refreshing reminder of our core strength: the humanity, compassion, and collective strength of nurs- es, and what we can all achieve with our national nurses movement and our union. RoseAnn DeMoro is executive director of National Nurses United. RoseAnn DeMoro Executive Director, National Nurses United Unstoppable Force There is power in the voice and action of nurses For any nurse or other staff in direct contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient, mandatory, enforceable regulations under Cal-OSHA, including emergency departments, require hospitals to provide: • Full-body protective suits that leave no skin exposed along with nitrile gloves and non- slip cover boots; • Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), with full hood or cowl, for any nurse in contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient; • All personal protective equipment must meet or exceed the highest American Socie- ty for Testing and Materials standards on blood and viral penetration • Continuous hands-on interactive training on donning and doffing, transmission and other procedures, before treating any suspected or confirmed Ebola patient; computer-based learn- ing does not meet the training requirement; • Active involvement of nurses in develop- ment of the exposure control plan; • Whistle-blower rights for nurses to express health and safety concerns without fear of retaliation; • Relief of work duties, or placement in an alternative job for any nurse exposed to potential infection, or leave, with full pay, benefits, and seniority rights retained until the incubation period ends. The Cal-OSHA Standards—What We Won

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