New Orleans nurses and immigrant workers stand together

Nurses at New Orleans’ University Medical Center went on strike on May 1. After voting to unionize in December 2023, they’ve been in contract negotiations since March 2024 and went on strike in October 2024 and again this February.

Here’s an April 29 statement from nurse Terry Mogilles posted to nolanursesunited on Instagram: 

“I’m a registered nurse at University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a proud member of National Nurses United. I am joined here today by some of my colleagues from UMC and a group of strong, fighting nurses from all over the country. On May 1, we will begin our third strike to win a strong contract for our nurses that protects our patients and our community. We want corporate health care to know: When you take on one of us, you take on all of us!”

The nurses were joined on the picket line by the immigrant worker organization Unión Migrante, which led the May Day march later in the evening. In their Facebook livestream at the picket line, Unión Migrante said: 

“We are here in solidarity with the nurses and patients of LCMC, where most of our immigrant community turns to for health care.

“Let’s say it clear to the greedy men in charge of the hospital. Human lives matter more than money! Nurses’ working conditions are our healing conditions as patients. It is disgusting that LCMC treats its employees and patients as disposable – we deserve better!

“They deserve a collective agreement with a sustainable patient ratio for each nurse. They deserve decent salaries, as we all deserve. Bills and rent aren’t going down. They deserve union representation and a job with respect.

“This May 1, we remember to stand on the shoulders of people who fought and died for a weekend, an eight-hour workday, health insurance, and much more. So we say, together with the nurses, one more day, one more day stronger! Towards victory always!”