Time for R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Health care professionals are demanding R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Let's support the Re-empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act. This bill would undo the damage inflicted by the National Labor Relations Board last year when it issued a ruling making it easier for employers to unfairly classify millions of working people--including nurses--as "supervisors," endangering our right to a union voice on the job.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support RESPECT for Health Care Professionals

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a member of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, an AFSCME affiliate, I'm writing to ask you to co-sponsor the RESPECT Act (S. 969/H.R. 1644).

Being in a union means I have a voice on the job to truly be an advocate for my patients every day. Last year, as you know, the National Labor Relations Board unfairly threatened nurses' right to a union voice by making it easier for employers to classify us as "supervisors." The RESPECT Act would undo the damage the NLRB is inflicting on the ability of health care professionals to advocate for our patients.

Please co-sponsor this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 06, 2007

Background Information

Health care professionals are demanding R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

That stands for the Re-empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act. Last year, the National Labor Relations Board issued a ruling making it easier for employers to unfairly classify millions of working people--including nurses--as "supervisors," endangering our right to a union voice on the job.

Now we're fighting back in Congress. The RESPECT Act (H.R. 1644/S. 969) would undo the damage the NLRB's so-called Kentucky River decision is doing to health care professionals and our ability to be true advocates for our patients. That decision told employers that charge nurses could be considered "supervisors"--and therefore not eligible for union membership--even if they spend as little as 10 percent of their time directing other colleagues. They could be considered "supervisors" even though they can't hire, fire or discipline anyone!

We know that nurses' voices save patients' lives. We've got an important opportunity to fight back against threats to our rights and our patients. Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the RESPECT Act today.