by Candice Owley

Your union needs YOU!

Today's decline in the quality of health care, coupled with an overburdened health care workforce, is leading to the radicalization of health care professionals not just in the U.S. but across the world. Nurses and health care workers have taken to the streets to demand the return of quality care, to end mandatory overtime and to save their health care systems. Collective bargaining activity, union elections and interest in organizing among health care professionals have never been greater.

To meet the demand for unionization, our own union has stepped up its organizing budget, its staff of organizers, it strategic planning and its scope of organizing activity. But, even though our union has made the commitment to dramatically increase organizing support, we will never succeed in organizing the millions of unorganized workers until we, the members, take up the organizing banner and become volunteer organizers. We must move beyond the mindset that the job of organizing is for our paid staff. It is actually OUR job to organize OUR union, and if we want to win, we have to pitch in.

It is very exciting to see some of the volunteer organizers who have pitched in and have traveled from New York City to help in organizing campaigns in Kansas City, Missouri (see the cover story). The difference when members become organizers is dramatic. The unorganized nurses see firsthand that the union is us, not outsiders. Both the nurses organizing and the members who volunteer come away more enthusiastic and committed to unionizing than ever. But more volunteers are needed. You--and every member--can be an "organizer" by taking your story of the benefits of unionism to your friends, co-workers, your cousin in nursing school, your brother working at a neighboring hospital. You can join the organizing efforts in your local and participate in group meetings and home visits with unorganized workers. There's nobody like you to tell another nurse, another technician, another housekeeper what it's like to be in a union. There's nothing like you telling another: "I am proud to be in the union so I can fight for quality; come be with us to make a change."

To change the health care world, to end mandatory overtime, to improve staffing ratios and salaries, and to achieve health care for all, health care workers must organize and health care unions must come together in common cause.

All members doing their parts as apostles for their union; each union and association working in collaboration for quality care and quality working conditions: This is the strength of our union movement and the strength that will build a new health care system. A system that will once again be good for workers and good for patients.