The more than 100,000 registered nurse members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) applauded Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recognition of the significant sacrifices and contributions of RNs and other health care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic through his announcement today that the state’s health care workers would each receive retention bonus of up to $1,000, which can be matched up to $500 by their employers.

CNA/NNU’s unionized nurse members have been a driving force since the very beginning of the pandemic to protect and support all of California’s nurses and health care workers, lobbying the governor and the state public health agencies he oversees for adequate equipment, resources, guidance, and workplace standards.

“While the fight for justice in the workplace continues, at this moment we are glad to see that the governor is paying tribute to the contributions of health care workers in this way,” said Sandy Reding, a Bakersfield RN and CNA president.

CNA/NNU nurses will continue fiercely advocating for the multiple measures of infection control in public spaces and in health care workplaces that we know work to prevent spread of the Covid-19 virus.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, representing more than 100,000 RNs in the state of California and more than 175,000 nationwide.