WASHINGTON - 75,000 RNs became the newest members of the AFL-CIO as the California Nurses Association and its national arm, the National Nurses Organizing Committee, joined the 10 million-member Federation. 

The AFL-CIO is the nation's umbrella organization for labor unions.  With the addition of the CNA/NNOC, the AFL-CIO brings its total number of nurses to over 325,000, joining nurses currently represented by 9 other labor unions.

“Nobody understands better than nurses that health care in our country cries out for reform,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.  “CNA has led the drive for reform in California. Working together in the AFL-CIO, we have the power to build a broad new national movement that can win change.”

"We look forward to engaging in collective work with AFL-CIO unions," said California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee President Deborah Burger, RN.  "We believe that the strength of the labor movement coupled with the nurses' commitment to guaranteeing comprehensive healthcare coverage through HR 676 will provide the foundation necessary for genuine reform," Burger said.