National Nurses United

members have wholeheartedly embraced this philosophy toward nurs- ing, and sought to practice what some call "social unionism," meaning that RNs use the collective power of their union to fight for positive re - forms at the societal level for all people, and not just the narrow self inter- ests of whoever happens to be union members at that moment in time. As a result, NNU nurses are active in a diverse array of issues, not only championing for healthcare-related reforms such as safe nurse staffing ratios and Medicare for all, but also in fighting climate change, passing a Robin Hood financial transaction tax to force Wall Street to pay its fair share toward the public good, and supporting efforts around the country to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Sylvia Searfoss, a longtime maternal child registered nurse in El Paso, Texas, said that she always helps fellow nurses connect the dots by pointing out that what they are trying to do as nurses in the hospital—caring for, protecting, and healing patients—would be a lot easier if "things in the community were a lot better, too." "What's going on in the community does affect us," said Searfoss, who now works part time at Sierra Medical Center and is a former social worker. She has been involved, along with other El Paso nurs- es, in advocating for the city to pass laws to prohibit doing business with companies that engage in wage theft (when employers cheat employees out of the salaries they are due) and in raising the mini- mum wage. "Some of these people are our patients, too. They are at a disadvantage, and it affects their quality of life once they get out of the hospital. [Not getting paid] might make them end up back in the hospital, or maybe they can't afford the medicine, or to buy food, make rent." In addition to the living wage issue, Searfoss regularly attends rallies to stand up for immigrants' rights, fight against dam- aging global trade pacts like the Trans-pacific Partnership, call attention to fair treatment of farmworkers, and the list goes on. "People have to know that nurses are with them," said Searfoss. "We have to show them that we think of them, that we are there to support them." As a result of nurses like Searfoss, NNU has built a reputation throughout the United States, and even the world, as a principled and outspoken organization that can be counted on to always stand up for patients, for workers, and for the public interest. "Thank goodness for nurses," said Naomi Klein, noted social activist and author of many acclaimed books critiquing capitalism, during last year's People's Summit that NNU convened to discuss next steps for our social justice movement. "I don't think that it is by happenstance that we are brought together by caregivers, because I think at the very heart of this revolution that we are talking about is a revolution in shifting our political and economic system away from one based on endless taking from the earth…from workers' bodies, from our communities, as if there are no limits and no consequence, to a society that is grounded in that first principle of caretaking: of caring for the earth and for one another." And just this March Klein tweeted, "Have I told you all lately how much I love revolutionary nurses?" During his historic 2015-2016 bid for the Democratic presiden- tial nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders consistently lauded nurses and touted his close partnership with NNU, which was the first national union to endorse his candidacy. "Let me begin by thanking RoseAnn DeMoro and the 185,000 members of National Nurses United," said Sanders in a special 2015 video address thanking NNU nurses for their endorsement. "I am extremely honored to have the support of the largest nurses union in this country and one of our nation's great unions…Year after year, I have been proud to work with NNU…There is no job in this country that is more demanding, more important, and more fulfilling than being a nurse. You take care of our young children when they get sick, you take care of our parents in their time of need, you take care of our veterans." Nurses' leadership on curing the socioeconomic ills of the country is one of the reasons that Ross and other nurses believe RNs consistently rank at the very top of the Gallup Poll's annual public survey of the most honest and ethical professions. Nurses have beat out, by a wide margin, all other occupations for this honor some 15 years in a row. "For me, it's all about doing the right thing," said Ross of what the poll signifies. "I believe people do trust us because we do always do the right thing, and we listen. It's a huge responsibility and onus on us, because people do expect it of us. People expect more of us, and they should. And they actually should expect more from all unions. The labor movement was rooted in social justice, making sure that all people do better." She said she is heartened by how many registered nurses across America do understand and embrace their special role and NNU's prominent position in the vanguard of the current movement for social, economic, racial, and climate justice. "This is a golden oppor- tunity, there are so many marches, so many rallies," said Ross. "There's all kinds of stuff to do, so go do something." M A R C H | A P R I L 2 0 1 7 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

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