Press releases

San Francisco Passes Nationally Significant Legislation Advancing Healthcare via Planning Process

Registered nurses from the California Nurses Association, along with their patients and community healthcare advocates, cheered yesterday when the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed historic legislation to allow the City to consider the impact on access and equity to healthcare when deciding whether to approve planning proposals for medical facilities. The program calls for a Healthcare Services Master Plan to be drafted to better coordinate care across the city, and restores the mission of the long-defunct West Bay Health Systems Agency to regional healthcare planning to increase access. After the master plan is completed through a public process, medical institutions seeking entitlements from the Planning Department would need to demonstrate that their services meet city needs for healthcare or offer other significant public benefits.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Nation's Nurses Sharply Criticize Deficit Commission's Bowles-Simpson Proposal

Jean Ross, RN, co-President of National Nurses United, the nation's union and professional association for registered nurses, issued the following statement on suggestions from Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, co-chairs of the Commission on the Deficit, that Social Security and Medicare be cut:

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Unfair Labor Practice charge filed against Sparrow Hospital

An Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Sparrow Hospital has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The charge, submitted by the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA), presents evidence that Sparrow Hospital restrained, coerced and interfered with its employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to join, form or assist a labor organization. In addition, the charge states that Sparrow has failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the MNA. MNA is the collective bargaining representative for the Professional Employees Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH), which represents the health care professionals employed by the Hospital.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Nurses Gather to Honor Fallen Hero Cynthia Palomata, RN on Wed. Nov. 10

The California Nurses Association is inviting friends, neighbors, patients, and community leaders to a special vigil this Wednesday, Nov. 10 to honor the life and bravery of RN Cynthia Palomata, who was killed by a patient she was caring for last month. CNA will hold the vigil Wednesday in Martinez, Calif. near the Contra Costa jail where Palomata was killed.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Calif. Nurses Congratulate Gov.-Elect Brown & Sen. Boxer

The California Nurses Association today offered congratulations to Gov.-elect Jerry Brown and returning U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer for their impressive, double-digit election wins, and to California voters for providing a national alternative to the conservative, corporate-oriented economic program that won so many other races nationwide.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Following the Death of a RN Killed on the Job - CA Nurses Call For Better Protections

In the wake of the reported death of a registered nurse, who was assaulted Monday by an inmate at Contra Costa County's correctional facility in Martinez, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United today called for urgent reforms to crack down on a disturbing trend of violence in all facilities where medical care is provided. Assembly member Mary Hayashi has pledged to sponsor new legislation to be introduced as early as December.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Watsonville Hospital Seeks to Prolong Dispute with RNs By Imposing Lockout Following One-Day Strike

Watsonville Community Hospital registered nurses today said the former community hospital, now part of a mega national for-profit chain, is threatening to prolong the dispute with its RNs by imposing a lockout following Tuesday's one-day strike. Watsonville RNs held the strike to call attention to the hospital's refusal to address the nurses' concerns about serious staffing shortages and the risk it poses to patient safety. The 300 Watsonville RNs are members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

One-Day Strike by Watsonville RNs Tuesday Nurses Cite Hospital's Refusal to Fix Poor Staffing

Watsonville Community Hospital registered nurses will begin a one-day strike tomorrow morning, Tuesday, October 26 to protest serious staffing problems that the one-time community hospital, now part of a mega corporate hospital chain, refuses to address, they say.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

RNs Rally to Protest Rick Scott in Orlando Saturday

Registered nurses, joined by community and labor allies, will rally in Orlando Saturday to oppose the candidacy of gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, citing his history and policies as contrary to the values of nurses and the interests of patients.

Press Release

November 23, 2010

The Queen Meg Farewell Tour: "Lies, Hypocrisy, & Pink Slips”

A grand coalition of California's leading women's, feminist, and workers' organizations will close out the 2010 campaign with a statewide bus tour highlighting candidate Meg Whitman's lies to the public and her Wall Street values. The California Nurses Association will be joined on the tour by many of the state's leading organizations of women, and by the local working families and working women who would be harmed by Whitman's election.

Press Release

November 23, 2010