As nurses who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly two years, the essential WDVA RNs who care for our honored veterans, you may be exhausted, but do not be fooled or harassed.

The Freedom Foundation wants you to think things would be better if you didn’t have your union, and that nothing would change if you just stopped paying union membership dues. That is just nonsense. Your membership and solidarity with each other are the only things that allow you to speak with one unified voice and achieve contract gains that protect the public, your patients, and your working conditions.

So, who is the Freedom Foundation and why will they try to convince you to give up your union voice?
The Freedom Foundation is anti-worker and anti-union. Their goal is to undermine unions and benefit businesses, implementing an agenda that includes cutting health care, pensions, and wages of workers, undermining funding for public health, privatizing public services and attacking the rights of underrepresented communities. Learn more about the Freedom Foundation’s anti-worker and anti-union agenda here: https://accountablenw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Opposing-Agenda-PNG.png

Freedom Foundation undermines public health messages during the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while you have been on the front lines providing care to our honored veterans and encouraging the public to follow science-based public health advice, the Freedom Foundation has perpetuated a public campaign of misinformation about the dangers of this virus. You can learn more about the Freedom Foundation’s position on the pandemic here:  https://accountablenw.org/front-page/this-is-not-a-serious-issue-the-freedom-foundations-covid-19-denial/

Freedom Foundation harassment tactics and how you can stop it:
Freedom Foundation operatives have been known to show up at facilities where employees work.  They have harassed union members at their homes. They have even gone to the homes of workers and claimed to be a representative of the worker’s union. The good news is that if we are informed and ready, we can stop them and their dirty tricks. Here are tips on how to protect yourself from the Freedom Foundation: https://accountablenw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Protect-Yourself-Flyer-Sources-8.9.png

We are in this together
As union nurses we know we do our best work when we work together and our commitment to each other through our union is no different. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that workers of all kinds, including RNs, need their unions to fight for safe workplaces and fair pay. Now more than ever we need every nurse to stand together in our union to ensure the best care for our community and the strongest voice for our profession.

Let us not be fooled or harassed by an organization that aims to destroy our unity and our union.

Please contact your nurse representative, if you have any questions or if you are contacted by the Freedom Foundation.