The Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition in September named Nurses United for Improved Patient Care/AFT the 2004 Outstanding Labor Organization. Nurses United was nominated by the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus for its role as “advocates for safe patient care” in Kansas City.

Nurses United represents nurses at three of 12 hospitals owned by HCA Midwest: Lee’s Summit Hospital, Menorah Medical Center and the Medical Center of Independence. The nurses organized their union in 1999 to address the many problems that plague healthcare, including the decline in quality care and patient safety and the shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals.

“While still a new union, Nurses United already is a force to be reckoned with as a leader for employee rights and improved patient care,” said Edward J. McElroy, president of AFT Healthcare, in a letter to the nurses. “The efforts of Nurses United on behalf of nurses and patients, especially in the face of constant anti-union obstacles, are an inspiration to all working men and women in Missouri and across the country.”

Missouri Pro Vote is a coalition of labor unions and various activists and community groups that work together to identify, train and provide grassroots support to progressive candidates for state office. It has been working to further the progressive political agenda at the state level since 1992.