MNA activism doesn’t take a vacation!

Even during the dog days of summer MNA nurses from across the state were active in their bargaining units, in their communities and with their legislators fighting for improved conditions for both RNs and patients. From legislative briefings and fund-raising events to parades and picket lines, RNs were making their voices heard.

Rep. Rogers and the MNA. Nurses from the MNA showed up in force to march with House Majority Leader John Rogers in a local Fourth of July parade. Rogers is a strong supporter of RNs and was a catalyst for the successful House vote on safe RN staffing last spring.

MNA supports NEMSA. The National Emergency Medical Services Association (NEMSA), a member of the Coalition to Protect Massachusetts Patients and the representative organization for critical first responders in the health care system, recently ran into tough negotiations. MNA RNs from the Brockton area are shown here supporting their union brothers and sisters.

Ending violence against health care workers. Officer Steven Cecchini and Detective David Richardson joined MNA nurses at the State House in June to give testimony in support of the organization’s workplace violence prevention bill.

Picketing in Pittsfield. Friends and family members supported BMC nurses during their Aug. 13 picket.

Parading it with Senator Walsh. Betty Sparks, an RN from Norwood, joined up with Sen. Marian Walsh, a champion of safe RN staffing and of nurses in the Senate, at another July 4th parade.

Union solidarity at BWH. Nurses from Brigham and Women’s Hospital walked the line in support of the facility’s picketing engineers.

UMass Medical School holds a legislative briefing, June 22. Sue Campbell, RN, Robin DiDonato, RN, Karen Lyons, RN, and Sen. Harriette Chandler.

RNs give back to their communities. Region 4 nurses, from left, Donna Gauthier, Laura Daly and Charlene Richardson at a summer fund-raising event.

Protesting at NEMC. RNs at New England Medical Center demonstrated outside of the hospital on June 27 to protest the hospital’s failure to respond to their repeated requests for additional staff and equipment—requests that would go a long way in keeping patients safe.

LGH organizes for success. Nurses from Lawrence General Hospital took a strike authorization vote over the summer during the height of their contract struggles with management. The RNs also met with their local legislators to explain their positions and ask for their support. The nurses’ efforts paid off and their contract was ratified on June 25.