Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on California Nurses' Strike at Sutter Hospitals

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.aflcio.org/mediacenter/prsptm/pr10112007.cfm

Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on California Nurses' Strike at Sutter Hospitals
October 11, 2007

The 10 million members of the AFL-CIO stand 100 percent in solidarity with the nearly 5,000 Northern California nurses who are demanding Sutter Health make immediate and significant improvements to patient care protections at its Bay Area hospitals. The nurses -- members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC) -- began a two- day strike yesterday.

The Sutter RNs have shown time and time again their overwhelming commitment to providing quality care to their patients. By reducing access to care for its patients and proposing cuts to vital healthcare and retirement benefits for its nurses, Sutter Health is clearly putting company profits above a commitment to nurses and the patients they serve.

Hospital nurses are on the front lines of patient care. They deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. The AFL-CIO calls on Sutter Health to work with CNA and the nurses on a fair contract and listen to their pressing concerns about patient care conditions.

Contact: Steve Smith [phone]