DC nurses busy organizing and bargaining

Submitted by ADonahue on
Large group of nurses pose side-by-side in banquet hall

Staff report

National Nurse magazine - Oct | Nov | Dec 2025 Issue

RNs with District of Columbia Nurses Association have been steadily organizing and bargaining over the fall and winter.

DCNA has met with District of Columbia officials on several occasions to discuss representation of District school nurses. On Nov. 6, DCNA representatives met with DC Department of Health human resources staff, who are claiming that school nurses are not eligible for union representation because they are supervisors. DCNA disagrees with this position and will file a petition with the DC Public Employee Relations Board to add DC school RNs to the bargaining unit encompassing all nurses working in the DC government (with the exception of nurses employed at the Department of Behavioral Health). 

Meanwhile, nurses at other area hospitals have been renegotiating contracts. Nurses at George Washington University Hospital, which is owned by Universal Health Services, had bargaining sessions in November, presenting management with multiple proposals regarding health coverage, education, and compensation. The employer has not yet responded with proposals.

Nurses at Howard University Hospital (HUH) also reached a tentative agreement with management on a new contract and, as of press time, will be voting on ratification in mid December.