Registered nurses earlier this month urged the District of Columbia Council’s Committee on Health and Human Services to promptly pass legislation to ensure that hospitals create plans and take necessary action to protect patients, health care workers, and others from violence in hospitals.

Nurses at the St. Joseph Campus of the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, NY, members of CWA Local 1168, want a fair contract. Negotiations for a new contract covering the 200 nurses got underway with the hospital’s parent employer, Catholic Health, on June 29. The current contract expires on Aug. 31.

Registered nurses joined with District of Columbia Council members and community supporters in a press conference today to announce the introduction of the Patient Protection Act to dramatically improve care in DC hospitals to protect patients.

After nearly three years, caregivers at J.B. Johnson Nursing Center in Northwest Washington, DC have finally secured their first contract. The members of SEIU 1199 United Healthcare Workers East voted overwhelmingly to ratify it on January 23rd.

In speaking to the company’s representative, it has been determined that PIW will accommodate any employee who reports to work with sleeping arrangements or transportation home if required.