History of the American Nurses Association Collective Bargaining Efforts
Although nurse CBAs have been negotiated under the aegis of several national unions, the largest nurse union is the United American Nurses, which, as an affiliate of the ANA, is comprised of members of ANA’s constituent states’ local bargaining units. The ANA has more than a half-century of unionizing and traditional CB experience, which was acquired particularly during periods of nursing shortages. Calling upon such experience can be extremely useful to help nurses find their voice and change the health care environment during the current shortage. A summary of that experience follows.