Keepnews elected as an AFT vice-president

WSNA Executive Director David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN, has been elected as a vice-president of AFT, WSNA’s national labor partner. The election took place on July 24, 2024 at the national union’s 88^th national convention in Houston. As one of 43 vice-presidents, Keepnews joins AFT’s Executive Council.

AFT’s members include professionals in the fields of education, health care, and public service. It is the second-largest nurses’ union in the country and the largest healthcare union in the AFL-CIO. At 1.8 million members, it is also the largest AFL-CIO affiliate.

“I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to serve AFT at the national level,” said Keepnews. “AFT has consistently shown its commitment to nursing and health care.” He cited AFT’s national Code Red campaign, which focuses on issues of safe staffing, workplace violence, and other key problems for the healthcare workforce. “I look forward to joining and contributing to the AFT’s national leadership team, headed by our visionary President, Randi Weingarten. AFT unites healthcare professionals, pre-K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, public service professionals, and paraprofessionals & school-related personnel in fighting for a better future for our members and those we all serve-- patient, students, and communities.”

Keepnews, who has served as WSNA Executive Director since 2021, will also continue as a member of AFT’s Healthcare Program & Policy Council and its LGBTQIA+ Task Force. He also serves as vice-president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

WSNA, representing over 20,000 Washington nurses, is affiliated with both AFT and the American Nurses Association.