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AFSCME and Seven Other AFL-CIO Unions Form Alliance

The eight AFL-CIO unions representing nearly 200,000 registered nurses have announced that they have joined forces to coordinate organizing, bargaining and other activities, in an effort to improve working conditions and patient care.

The new alliance, called RNs Working Together, will be the first Industry Coordinating Committee recognized by the AFL-CIO. The federation approved the creation of ICCs to foster common strategies and practices for unions within a given industry.

Unions in the ICCs will receive additional support from the federation. Further, AFL-CIO unions that do not join the ICC would be prohibited from organizing in that industry.

"We believe that bringing together frontline workers is the best way to address the serious issues facing today's health care delivery system," says Kathy Sackman, RN, UNAC/UHCP/NUHHCE president and AFSCME International vice president. "Many major problems can be solved through unified action among all the nurse unions," she adds.

The eight unions that form RNs Working Together are: AFSCME, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Communications Workers of America (CWA), United American Nurses (UAN), United Steelworkers (USW), United Auto Workers (UAW), and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

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