New York, N.Y. (May 12, 2020) – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, today announced its successful purchase and distribution of 20,000 N-95 respirator masks to front-line members across the United States. Additional masks have been procured and will be distributed in the coming weeks.

OPEIU acquired the protective masks to provide relief for front-line members, including healthcare professionals experiencing the highest levels of risk, helping to fill the workplace safety gaps left by a lack of federal guidance on workplace safety and by employers either unwilling or incapable of ensuring a safe work environment for their employees. Masks are being sent to OPEIU local unions throughout the country, from Hawai'i to Florida and spots in between.

When nearly 8,000 at SEIU Healthcare 1199NW nurses, technicians and other hospital employees went on strike in January, Swedish Hospital management hired temporary replacement workers, some of whom lacked the proper credentials to work at the hospital, putting patients in harm’s way.

That’s what happens when our healthcare system is built on the principle of maximizing profits—not maximizing patients’ well-being.

https://prospect.org/labor/seattle-nurses-strike-and-get-locked-out/