News & Events
Hundreds of nurses to call on White House, Congress on June 6-7
06.03.2011
National Nurses Association
Media Advisory
Contact: Ann Sincox, 517.256.2312
ann.sincox@minurses.org
Hundreds of Nurses to Call on White House, Congress June 6-7
Cite Economy in Broad Decline of Health in Their Communities,
Call for New Agenda, a Main Street Contract for the American People
Hundreds of registered nurses from 31 states, joined by labor and community allies will gather outside the White House, picket the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and rally near Congress Tuesday, June 7 to call for a new Main Street Contract for the American People.
What: RNs Call for a Main Street Contract for America
When: Monday, June 6
“Assault on Our Lives, Our Patients, Our Communities; Our Response”
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Marriott Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington
Tuesday, June 7
8 a.m.-10 a.m. - Speeches by Richard Trumka, legislators
Washington Marriott Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington
10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Rally, Lafayette Square
Picket, Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street NW, Washington DC
12:15 p.m.-1 p.m. – Rally
Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave NW, with speeches by Sens. Boxer, Sanders
National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of nurses representing 170,000 RNs, will propose a program for rebuilding American communities with jobs, healthcare, education and other urgent needs, funded through a fair tax policy targeted to those on Wall Street who created the economic crisis. Nurses will emphasize that theme with a spirited protest at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters
In addition to proposing legislative solutions, the RNs will describe specific experiences faced by their patients and families -- stories of severe hardship faced in the continuing economic crisis that is America today. The RNs will outline plans for a national campaign to promote changes in national priorities in Washington and state capitols.
Among those scheduled to address the nurses are AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer (authors of two NNU-sponsored bills), and other legislators and community leaders. Following the rally, the nurses will move into the Capitol for legislative visits.
“We need a new vision, and a program that actually works for the people in America,” said Jeff Breslin, RN, Michigan Nurses Association President. “The American people can’t tolerate more cuts in the programs they must use, and as we’ve heard too often in Michigan, the ‘shared sacrifice’ means the working people are taking it on the chin while the corporations can continue passing out huge executive bonuses.”
“Nurses see the fallout from these actions by our legislators every day, and we are ready to create a new contract for a better life for all Americans,” Breslin said.
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The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest, most effective union for RNs in Michigan. As the voice of all registered nurses in Michigan, MNA advocates for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community, and at the bargaining table. MNA is a constituent member of National Nurses United and an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
