The CNA Controversy

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers

Recently SEIU Local 199 Registered Nurses received a mailer from an organization in California that claims to be “the voice for RNs”. The information in the mailer is inaccurate and offers misleading information about our Union.

As a Registered Nurse of over 22 years and the elected leader of our union here in Iowa, it is my belief that in order to

advance the profession of nursing, we must act responsibly and professionally.

Although we welcome constructive criticism and debate in our Union, under no circumstances will we tolerate an outside organization that for its own selfish purposes falsely disparages us, and then has the audacity to ask our members to join that organization.

SEIU Local 199 and the Nurse Alliance of SEIU Health Care take great pride in our profession. We believe that nursing professionals should not spend time attacking one another, but rather should focus on improving our profession and improving the quality of care we provide to our patients every day.

Moreover, SEIU and its affiliated organizations know that RNs play a unique role in our nation’s health care system, but that nurses are also an integral part of a health care “team” that delivers the highest quality care. To separate nurses from the others on that team, such as social workers and respiratory therapists, is wrong for our profession and our patients.

The C.N.A, or NNOC as they call themselves, is not associated with the American Nurses Association. As a matter of fact, in 1995 they disaffiliated from the ANA.

So don’t be fooled by claims that they can do better for you, because the truth is they haven’t done anything to set standards here in Iowa for RNs and Health Care Professionals.

As we all know SEIU Local 199 is the one who has and will continue to be the voice of our members.

In Solidarity,

Cathy Glasson, RN

President, SEIU Local 199