NHP news | March 2026

The next national No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action is less than a week away, and organizers across the nation are planning over 3,000 local events—more than any previous No Kings national mobilization. The March 28 mobilization is the next step in this growing movement, with organizers anticipating it will be one of the largest single-day nonviolent nationwide protests in U.S. history, and the labor movement will be a driving force in making that happen. Click here to find an event near you.

 

Today, millions of Americans are being squeezed in every direction and finding it harder and harder to afford the basics to keep a roof over their heads, meals on the table and the lights on. These were the issues people voted on in November, and it’s only getting worse. People are demanding relief, not war. In her latest column, AFT President Randi Weingarten urges the Trump administration to focus on what voters demand: better opportunities and pathways to a better life for all.

 

Healthcare workers at Samaritan Health and Hospice and Inspira Health in New Jersey voted overwhelmingly to join Health Professionals and Allied Employees, citing heavy workloads and staffing shortages. The newly unionized employees—including nurses, case managers and social workers—will now negotiate contracts to improve working conditions and patient care. The new members say organizing gives them a stronger voice to advocate for safer staffing, better support and higher-quality care for the patients they serve.

 

Nearly 500 Labcorp laboratory professionals across eight bargaining units—represented by the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals—have overwhelmingly ratified their first collective bargaining agreement after more than a year of negotiations. These skilled workers—who serve in a variety of laboratory roles across multiple sites—organized to win better wages, stronger job protections, and standards that support high-quality patient care. “This contract is more than a win for workers seeking to have their voices respected,” says Allister Brister-Smith, a bargaining team leader and Labcorp employee. “It creates a strong foundation for safe staffing and workplace stability, helping us raise the standard of care for our community.”

 

Alaska nurse Shannon Davenport describes how the growing immigration enforcement presence is undermining trust in healthcare across remote communities. In areas where patients often travel long distances—or even by plane—to access care, fear is causing many to delay treatment until their conditions worsen. In her AFT Voices post, Davenport reflects on how hospitals, once considered sacred safe spaces, no longer feel secure to some patients. With support from the AFT and local hospitals, nurses are learning to advocate for patients while navigating these challenges, determined to protect care in communities where alternatives are scarce.

 

This week, Senate Republicans are taking up the SAVE America Act—legislation that is designed to silence peoples’ voices at the ballot box through excessive paperwork, prohibitions, purges and punishments. If this extreme bill passes, it could dramatically and dangerously reshape federal elections. The AFT is taking action and encouraging members to contact their lawmakers to urge them to oppose the SAVE America Act.