Citing Unstable Staffing, D.C. Nurses Strike

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Nurses at D.C.’s Washington Hospital Center took a one-day strike Friday to protest short staffing and compensation cuts. Hospital administration said they will lock out the 1,600 nurses, represented by the National Nurses United, for four additional days. The union estimated that MedStar, the nonprofit chain that owns Washington Hospital Center, will spend $5 million to lock its nurses out.
Labor Notes

Anthem To Raise Premiums While Making Huge Profits

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Anthem Blue Cross spent $2 million lobbying the California legislature and another $1.6 million on campaign contributions between 2009 and 2010. It lobbied the Department of Managed Health Care, the Department of Insurance and the Governor's office regarding health insurance regulations. In particular, Anthem spent a significant amount of time lobbying against SB1163, a piece of legislation that gave the state the power to review premium increases.
KCET

Barred From the Job Until Wednesday, Striking Washington Hospital Center Nurses Take to Irving St.

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With negotiations stalled, striking nurses at Washington Hospital Center today took to Irving Street NW, picketing the region's largest hospital. Wearing red scrubs, the color of National Nurses United, several hundred protesters held signs and chanted slogans, angry over a cut in pay and what they say is dangerous understaffing.
Washington City Paper

Washington Hospital Center RNs to Strike Friday

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NNU logo
Registered nurses at Washington D.C.’s largest hospital are preparing to walk out on strike Friday, March 4, citing as their primary concern serious patient safety problems at Washington Hospital Center. The facility’s nearly 1,650 RNs are represented by National Nurses United.
Press Release
Mar 3, 2011

Nurses Offer to Buy President Shoes To March with Workers in Wisconsin

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NNU logo
Recalling a pledge by then-candidate Barack Obama that “If American workers are being denied their right to organize and collectively bargain when I'm in the White House, I'll put on a comfortable pair of shoes myself” and join them, National Nurses United today offered to buy the president those shoes.
Press Release
Mar 2, 2011

LePage budget brings out hundreds of union workers in protest

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AUGUSTA, Maine — Hundreds of public employees, retirees and union members have gathered at the State House for the first day of hearings on the portions of Gov. Paul LePage’s budget that affect state workers. Testifying at around 12:30 p.m., LePage said there are currently more than 52,000 current retirees or state workers eligible for retirement within the next decade.
Bangor Daily News