Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/527631
J U N E 2 0 1 5 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 15 and for better funding of the Greek healthcare system. In Ireland, the Irish Midwives and Nurses Organisation held a press conference calling on the government to restore nurses' pay and working condi- tions that have been cut due to austerity measures that have defund- ed the healthcare system. Throughout the Caribbean and South America, registered nurs- es held many different actions. In Brazil, RNs met with legislators to lobby for a 30-hour workweek and held other events honoring nurses. In the Dominican Republic, the Sindicato Nacional de Tra- bajadores de Enfermeria visited the Dominican Congress to demand that it approve a salary increase for all public and private employees, including nurses. On May 12, multiple nurses unions held a vigil outside the National Palace to demand President Danilo Medina comply with the agreements signed since October 2013, in which health insurance is guaranteed to pensioners, transportation, among others. In Paraguay, the Asociación Paraguaya de Enfer- mería held a mass mobilization in front of the Ministry of Public Health in Asuncion on May 8 to defend the law that respects nurs- es' rights and professional practice. In the Philippines, the Alliance of Health Workers held protest actions May 7 calling for a national minimum wage, decent jobs, and a ban on contract labor. And on May 11, the union demonstrated before the House of Representatives with demands for decent jobs for nurses, better pay, and working conditions. In Taiwan, RNs joined other labor unions and marched for improved working condi- tions, including less overtime and better pay. "This great series of actions represents the dedication of nurses and other healthcare workers worldwide uniting to protect patients and the health of our nations," said Karen Higgins, RN, co-president of NNU. COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS Deborah Burger Karen Higgins Jean Ross SECRETARY-TREASURER Martha Kuhl VICE PRESIDENTS Representing NNU members from the Minnesota Nurses Association Bernadine Engeldorf Linda Hamilton Representing NNU members from the Michigan Nurses Association John Armelagos Jeff Breslin Representing NNU members from the Massachusetts Nurses Association Donna Kelly-Williams Beth Piknick Representing NNU direct members Irma Westmoreland Representing NNU members from the District of Columbia Nurses Association Sandra Falwell Representing NNU members from the California Nurses Association/ National Nurses Organizing Committee Zenei Cortez Kathy Dennis Kathleen Donohue Coralie Giles Michael Jackson Margie Keenan Catherine Kennedy Malinda Markowitz Katy Roemer Jane Sandoval The terms of office of the NNU National Officers for the 2015-2018 term will begin immediately upon conclusion of the NNU Convention in October. All officers are regis- tered nurses. NNU National Officers for the 2015–2018 Term TOP LEFT: RICK REINHARD