WHEREAS:

AFSCME represents in excess of 50,000 nurses in all aspects of health care, both public and private, institutionally and community-based, acute and long-term care, an increase of more than 10,000 in recent years; and

WHEREAS:

The restructured, profit-driven managed care system poses significant threats to the public health in terms of access and quality; and

WHEREAS:

The AFSCME nurse community is a significant source of information, occupies a position of credibility and trust by the public, and is increasingly called upon to speak on behalf of issues related to the common good; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME nurses, through their affiliates, have enjoyed increasing success in a highly competitive environment in organizing and negotiating enhanced working conditions; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME nurses have a heightened sense of union identity with their national organizational arm, United Nurses of America (UNA) whether they are organized in a nurse-only affiliate or one in which the union represents many occupations; and

WHEREAS:

Multi-occupation affiliates such as Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) are successful examples of a UNA presence with educational and other activities; and

WHEREAS:

It is beneficial to both the union and nurses represented by AFSCME councils and locals to access the programs and resources of United Nurses of America.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME affiliates that represent significant numbers of nurses are urged to create a UNA presence via committee or some other entity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That UNA and the Department of Organizing and Field Services will assist affiliates to create such entities.

SUBMITTED BY:

Kathy Sackman, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate
NUHHCE/AFSCME Local 1199

Bonnie Marpoe, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2245, Council 89
Pennsylvania