Gray Pledges Support For DC Nurses

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

DC mayoral candidate and City Council Chairman Vince Gray (center) Wednesday renewed his pledge of support for nurses at the Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Earlier this year, Gray expressed his disappointment in the hospital’s firings and disciplinary actions against nurses and other staff who were unable to make it to work during the massive snowstorms that paralyzed the city in February. At a meeting with the leadership of Nurses United on Wednesday, Gray agreed to send a letter to WHC President John Sullivan urging settlement of a contract that will preserve quality care and safety at Washington Hospital Center by providing nurses the pay, benefits, and respect they deserve. "Vince really listened to our concerns and we are excited to have his support," said Nurses United President Dottie Hararas. Nurses United represents the 1600 nurses at Washington Hospital Center who have been working without a contract since the end of June. The union will be meeting in the coming days to decide on an endorsement in the September 14 Democratic primary. - photo by Michael Wilson