Labor & Employment Law

Kansas City Nurses Join NNU

By James Parks

It took a decade of hard work, but the 600 registered nurses at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., finally have  a stronger voice in patient care and working conditions. Last night, they voted to join the National Nurses Organizing Committee-Missouri, an affiliate of the National Nurses United (NNU).

Research Medical is owned by HCA Midwest Health System, part of the largest hospital system in the country. With the vote, Research Medical Center becomes the largest union hospital in Missouri. NNU also represents RNs at two nearby HCA Midwest hospitals, Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan., and Lee?s Summit Medical Center in Lee?s Summit, Mo.

Says RN Leslie Remington:

It’s been a long time coming. Along with Menorah and Lee?s Summit, we will try to establish a new vision for health care for the patients of Kansas City.

NNU Vice President Malinda Markowitz welcomed the new members, saying:

This victory?will inspire other Missouri RNs to organize to improve patient care throughout the state. It will also provide encouragement to other HCA nurses from coast to coast who wish to join with their colleagues in forming a stronger national council of HCA RNs and in building a more powerful national movement of all direct care RNs.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on September 15, 2010 (boomark / email).