Catherwood LibraryILR School

In conferences this week, members of three disparate nurses' unions lambasted major rivals as well as a number of internal members. The three unions, the California Nurses' Association, the Massachusetts Nurses' Association, and the United American Nurses, have proposed a merger of all three into an 150,000-member "super union," hoping to boost wages and benefits, 'protect patients,' and increase lobbying power. The unions feel that as the health care system goes up for grabs they must be able to effectively lobby for desired reforms, such as single-payer, and any other union-friendly legislation. However, the merger has been held up by the revelation that a number of Boston nurses wish to remain independent, and therefore oppose the merger. It was these nurses who came under fire at this week's merger meetings, as well as the American Nurses' Association, which pro-merger members feel is far too friendly with corporate powers.