What Michael Moore 'Gets' About Wisconsin... and America
"You will live in the history books!†Michael Moore shouted from the rotunda of the state Capitol to the thousands of Wisconsin workers, teachers and their allies who had come Saturday to protest against Governor Scott Walker’s assault on public sector unions and public services. Speaking without a microphone, in a voice that was worn but enthusiastic after addressing tens of thousands of protesters outside the Capitol, Moore.
The Nation
Don’t Believe the Hype: Worker solidarity can win economic justice
There’s a joke circulating around the Internet that goes something like this: A corporate CEO, a union member and a tea partier are sitting at a table with a plate of a dozen cookies. The CEO takes 11 cookies and wolfs them down. Then he turns to the tea partier and says, “Watch out for that union guy. He wants part of your cookie.â€
It’s a joke that has billionaires like the Koch Brothers—who fund tea party groups through Americans for Prosperity—and their errand boys Dick Armey of Freedom Works and Karl Rove of American Crossroads laughing all the way to the bank.
The Source Weekly
The War on Women's Health
By Deborah Burger, RN and Co-President National Nurses United. The far right and their representatives in Congress and many state houses sure have a unique way of celebrating the centennial anniversary of International Women's Day. News that the Texas House of Representatives last week approved a bill, already passed by the state Senate, to force women seeking an abortion to first get an ultrasound test is one of a number of attacks on women's health in the works.
Huffington Post
Doctors Sarasota RNs Vote by 64% to Join NNOC-Florida
By a margin of 64 percent, registered nurses at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota voted Monday night to become the newest members of the rapidly growing Florida affiliate of the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs, National Nurses United.
Press Release
Mar 8, 2011
Locked-Out Nurses to Picket Tuesday Before Returning to Work Wednesday Morning
Remaining unified in the face of a retaliatory lock-out by the District of Columbia’s largest hospital, registered nurses from Washington Hospital Center will rally and picket this Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., advocating for patient care improvements and safe nurse staffing at the facility. The hospital’s lockout of the nurses ends Wednesday morning.
Press Release
Mar 7, 2011
1 in 5 Patients at California ERs Leaves Without Being Seen
FRIDAY, March 4 (HealthDay News) -- Upwards of one-fifth of patients who seek care at one of California's hospital emergency departments leave before being seen by anyone, new research reveals.
HealthDay
Citing Unstable Staffing, D.C. Nurses Strike
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
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.
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
Big Turnout on Picket Line by Washington Hospital Center RNs
Hundreds of Washington Hospital Center registered nurses jammed picket lines outside the District’s largest hospital Friday for a one-day strike called to protest stalling by the hospital administration on serious patient care problems at the facility.
Press Release
Mar 4, 2011