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November 7, 2012
Friends,
Today, all of us can hold our heads high and be proud of how nurses and other workers across Michigan came together and fought so hard for what matters. Although Proposal 2 did not prevail last night, your work these past eight months has not been in vain. Together, we have shown corporate special interests and politicians that working families will not tolerate the attacks on our ability to have a voice in the workplace and in our democracy.
I want you to know how much I appreciate all of you being part of this journey, from gathering nearly 700,000 signatures to place the proposal on the ballot to educating colleagues and neighbors to casting your votes at the polls.
Both as individuals and as an organization, we have learned and grown through this campaign. Many of you have stepped up in ways you’d never imagined. We are now even stronger, more united and better prepared to advocate for our members individually, our bargaining units and for nurses and working families overall.
Employers and politicians alike have taken notice of MNA’s power and determination. MNA has played a key role in revitalizing the labor movement in Michigan, and I could not be prouder of that.
Although we have lost the battle of Proposal 2, we will continue to fight the war. MNA will keep aggressively representing our members and negotiating the best contracts possible. Corporations will continue to focus on profits, politicians will continue to put workers last – and MNA will continue to push back and stand up for what’s right.
We should also be proud today of the impact our work has had in the political arena.
In addition to helping re-elect President Obama and keep U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in office, our support helped put Bridget Mary McCormick on the Michigan Supreme Court to protect families, not corporations.
Our activism helped increase the number of pro-nurse, pro-worker leaders in the state House, including:
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State Representative Jon Switalski, House District 28
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Henry Yanez, HD 25
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Gretchen Driskell, HD 52
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Adam Zemke, HD 55
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Tom Cochran, HD 67
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Andy Schor, HD 68
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Sam Singh, HD 69
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Theresa Abed, HD 71
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Winnie Brinks, HD 76
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Terry Brown, HD 84
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Collene Lamonte, HD 91
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Scott Dianda, HD 110
Sincerely,
John Karebian
MNA Executive Director
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