FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2000
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Joan Meehan-Hurwitz, 202-651-7020
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ANA Calls Pact a Win for Nurses and Patients
Tentative Agreement Reached in DC Nurses Strike
Washington, D.C.-- The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauded today's tentative agreement between the nurses at Washington Hospital Center in the District of Columbia, who have been on strike for more than six weeks, and management. The 1,200 nurses, who are represented by the District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA), went out on strike over issues affecting patient care, including mandatory overtime.
The new agreement resolves key issues affecting patient care. Specifically, the nurses won: a weekend staffing program so that patients receive better care on Saturday and Sunday; new limits on mandatory overtime so that nurses are not forced to work unreasonable hours and can refuse overtime due to fatigue, illness and extenuating circumstances; and a seat on key hospital committees that examine and determine practices and polices that affect patient care.
"The nurses' victory is a victory for nurses and patients nationwide – our message about safe staffing practices can no longer be ignored," said ANA President Mary E. Foley, MS, RN.
"We applaud the nurses' courage and professionalism for striking over such an important issue and making this dangerous practice visible to the public," said Cheryl Johnson, BSN, RN, chair of United American Nurses (UAN), ANA's labor arm.
The settlement comes on the heels of intensified protests by the nurses as well ANA, union, religious and community leaders. On Friday, Foley and Johnson were arrested with other union leaders in a demonstration of civil disobedience outside the hospital. On Saturday, leaders from ANA's constituent state nurses associations joined the picket line and five of them were arrested in a similar protest.
"We did what we had do to stand up for our patients and our profession, and the community rallied to our side. In the end, justice prevailed," said Sharon Clark, RN, president of the WHC unit of DCNA.
Also included in the agreement are raises totaling 14 percent over the next three years. The nurses will vote on the tentative agreement this Wednesday. If ratified, nurses will return to work beginning Nov. 13.
ANA, through its constituent member associations, represents some 120,000 RNs under collective bargaining agreements. The growing use of mandatory overtime -- forcing nurses to work 16-20 hours at one time -- has prompted several strikes by ANA-affiliated bargaining units this year, including strikes in Worcester, Mass., and Nyack, NY.
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The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.6 million Registered Nurses through its 54 constituent associations. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
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