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C A L I F O R N I A N U R S E News | Briefs Never Fear, Patient Protection Squad is Here! T his spring, CNA asked RNs to sign up for the Patient Protection Squad, a group who remains on alert to respond to our call when we need people to attend impromptu Schwarzenegger protests. So far, PPS members have "greeted" the governor in Hayward, at a window blind manufacturer; outside his house during a Super Bowl party; in Santa Ana at a paint company; and in Orange County outside one of his fundraisers—among other locations. Check out our website for how to join, and stay tuned for more photos of these events. I n a seminal election that heralds the emergence of a new national RN movement, Cook County RNs decid- ed May 13 by a 2–1 margin to oust the Illinois Nurses Association and affiliate with the National Nurses Organizing Committee. The NNOC was founded and is led by CNA. An impressive turnout of 83 per- cent of 1,800 RNs working for the Cook County Bureau of Health Services—a vast public health system serving the Chicago area—voted 955 to 487 for NNOC representation. The system, one of the country's largest, includes three hospitals, four public health districts, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities. This will be the first NNOC contract outside California. Chicago RNs had approached CNA and NNOC more than a year ago, saying they did not believe INA was adequately, much less aggressively, representing them in resolving griev- ances and negotiating contracts, and in patient advocacy issues, such as ensuring safe staf- fing and preventing haphaz- ard floating. The election was stymied by numerous legal objections INA filed with the Illinois Labor Rela- tions Board, but those were rejected in March and the board ordered the election to be held. As they waited for the vote to be tal- lied, nurses gripped each other's hands, huddled in anticipation. When the final count was read, they exploded in cheers, joy, and tears. "We are so excited to join theNNOC,"said RoseMammina, anICU RN who works at Provident Hospital. "Our margin of victory is a clear mes- sagetoCookCountythatnursesareseri- ous about advocating for our patients." Other nurses remarked that Cook County RNs feel they have passed a turning point. "To me and to all of our nurses, this is our independence day," said Bernice Faulkner, RN. "We have been liberated. No longer will we be depressed, suppressed, and oppressed. We are so proud, we worked very hard." Rose Ann DeMoro, CNA executive director, said she believed that the Chicago victory is just the first "tremor" of a major shake-up among RNs across the country who are looking for help in taking back their profession in an era of corporate med- ical care. "Cook County RNs have declared they want a strong voice for nurses and a powerful advocate for their patients," said DeMoro. "In reject- ing the INA, Cook County RNs have rejected the failed policies of its parent organization, the American Nurses Association. NNOC offers a different vision, based on the incredible success of CNA and the courage of the Cook County nurses." Chicago RNs Say Yes to NNOC, First Victory