Nurses from Ohio and other states have been canvassing Cleveland all weekend for Bernie Sanders, and will be doing a final get out the vote push on Monday, National Nurses United announced today.

“In Ohio, jobs has been a major topic of conversation,” said Laura Dominguez, RN. “As nurses, we know that when people are struggling to make ends meet, they have to make terrifying choices, like ‘Do I pay for my medication or buy food for my children?’ No one should have to make those kinds of decisions. We are really seeing a lot of support for Bernie as a champion of the revolution it will take to heal this country.”

Ohio nurses from Affinity Medical Center join RNs from other states to canvass for Bernie Sanders.

Joining the canvass will be Massillon, Ohio, Nurses who have been fighting for their first contract at Affinity Medical Center. Affinity is owned by Community Health Systems (CHS), which has engaged in rampant and serious unfair labor practices in Ohio and other locations, including terminating RN leader Ann Wayt, who returned to work in early 2014 and was awarded $2 million in a unanimous civil jury verdict, in a defamation case against Affinity Medical Center in 2015.

The National Labor Relations Board has upheld numerous unfair labor practice charges filed against the hospitals by NNU and three US District Courts issued injunctions in response to the employer's unlawful conduct early in contract negotiations with RNs. 

“Affinity nurses have had to fight so hard for our first contract, and we’re still fighting. Bernie introduced the Workplace Democracy Act, which would make it easier for workers to form a union—and that’s really a big inspiration for nurses to be out knocking on doors, canvassing for a presidential candidate who can help us,” said Affinity RN Debra McKinney. “We can’t protect the middle class if workers can’t protect themselves. Nurses can’t protect our patients without the right to act collectively to ensure safe patient care.”

RN CANVASS FOR BERNIE MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016 (Call Alyssa Kang at 213-305-8277 for details)

Morning: Nurses canvass in Cleveland-area neighborhoods
Early afternoon: Lunch at Bernie Campaign Office    
Evening: Nurses Canvass in Cleveland-area neighborhoods

“We’re so impressed at how passionate the people we’ve met in Ohio are about Bernie,” said Jean Ross, RN. “Everywhere we go, we’re meeting people who are wearing his gear, who have already voted for him. We were in Michigan before we came to Ohio, and we saw that same passion there. These Midwest states have lost so many jobs, and people here are ready for a change.”

National Nurses United, with over 185,000 members from all 50 states, is the largest organization of registered nurses in the U.S. and the first union to endorse Sanders, in August last year. Since then, NNU members have been organizing house parties, rallies and phone banks, and mobilizing door-to-door efforts in support of Sanders. 

“From Nevada to New Hampshire, from Colorado to South Carolina, RNs have talked to voters and been reminded of the huge gaps in access to healthcare and education, concerns about retirement security, the jobs lost due to unfair trade deals, widespread inequality, and the escalating climate crisis,” said RoseAnn DeMoro, NNU Executive Director. “Bernie Sanders and the legions of grassroots activists around the U.S. who have joined him will not stop. The political revolution is just beginning.”

Please contact Alyssa Kang for specific times, places to connect with canvass: 213-305-8277

Nurse canvass in Cleveland this weekend.