Noted Labor Leader, Lorraine Seidel, MA, RN, Joins National Federation of Nurses as CEO
WASHINGTON, DC,
May 29, 2012
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National Federation of Nurses (NFN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lorraine Seidel, MA, RN, to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Seidel, a prominent labor leader for more than 30 years, has held executive leadership positionsin various national labor organizations including the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees/AFSCME, Writers Guild of America, East and the Motion Picture Editors Guild. For eleven years prior to this new position, Lorraine led the Economic and General Welfare Program for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), representing more than 36,000 registered nurses for collective bargaining.
In partnership with NYSNA’s collective bargaining leadership and with other NFN state leaders, Seidel assisted in the design and creation of NFN as a new national union for registered nurses.
“This is a challenging time in a changing world for the labor movement, healthcare and the nursing profession,” said Seidel. “Workers’ rights are being attacked across the country. Nurses are in more demand, yet unsafe and shortstaffed workplaces remain. NFN members are energized and committed to creating new approaches and strategies to develop sustainable solutions to nurses’ concerns as we move forward.
“NFN could not be more pleased to have Lorraine’s leadership in our organization, working in partnership with our national executive board,” said NFN President Barbara Crane, RN. “Lorraine brings significant labor experience and firsthand knowledge of the difficulties nurses are facing today in the workplace.”
Seidel’s appointment coincided with the kick off of the NFN’s third National Labor Academy, on May 4-6, 2012 in Chicago. This year’s theme, “Sharpening Our Political and Collective Bargaining Focus”. The event brought together nurses from across the country to discuss strategies for protecting collective bargaining rights.
About National Federation of Nurses
National Federation of Nurses (NFN) is a leading national labor union and collaborative voice for registered nurses. Founded in 2008 to provide a unique, more inclusive option for nurses and model for national unions, NFN’s work is driven by the priorities of its members—nurse associations and the individual nurses they represent. NFN takes action at the local, state and national level to improve working conditions for nurses and achieve better patient outcomes. The ultimate goal is to create a strong and stable nursing workforce, and, thereby, improve health care delivery in the United States.