10.24.03

Massachusetts Nurses Association Endorses Mayor Timothy P. Murray for Re-election in Worcester

CANTON, Mass.—The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), which represents 22,000 registered nurses and health care professional in Massachusetts, announced its endorsement and support for Timothy P. Murray in his campaign for re-election as mayor of Worcester.

"Mayor Murray has an impeccable record of support for working people, for organized labor and for quality health and human services for the city of Worcester," said Sandy Ellis, a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital at the Worcester Medical Center as well as the chair of the MNA's political action committee. "Despite this very difficult budget cycle, Mayor Murray has maintained an innovative and fiscally responsible approach, which has enabled him to save as many municipal jobs as possible. The nurses of St. Vincent Hospital have long admired Tim Murray since his days as a City Councilor when he regularly walked the picket line with the striking nurses and for his ongoing support for improved staffing and working conditions for nurses."

The Worcester Public School Nurses, who are also represented by the MNA, are equally committed to Murray's re-election bid. According to Donna Hoey, RN, co-chair of the MNA bargaining unit for school and public health nurses in Worcester, Murray was adamant about keeping school health services up to par during tough fiscal times. "We have consistently been able to turn to Mayor Murray for support and understanding of the issues that school nurses and children face."

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