Los Angeles Times Profiles CNA Executive Director
The Los Angeles Times on Monday profiled Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association. According to the Times, several proposals by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) have stalled in part because of "angry RNs mobilized by DeMoro."
For example, CNA has opposed efforts by Schwarzenegger to delay state nurse staffing rules, and the union has targeted an effort to create private pension funds for public workers, including nurses employed by the state. DeMoro's supporters and critics agree her association took the lead on the pension issue, according to the Times.
CNA has tripled its membership and won 65 elections during DeMoro's 12-year tenure. CNA has lost about six elections during that time. CNA represents about 45% of hospital nurses in California.
Consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader said that DeMoro is "showing what some moxie can achieve," adding that CNA "is probably the most authentic labor union in the country today."
With regard to disputes between Schwarzenegger and CNA, Republican strategist Allan Hoffenblum said, "When Arnold attacked those nurses, he just fell into a trap, and there's no doubt the nurses outflanked him."
However, Schwarzenegger spokesperson Rob Stutzman said, "All they're doing is riding on Arnold Schwarzenegger's back to show the rest of the country they are aggressive union organizers." He added that the "more hysterical and over-the-top they are, the more publicity they get for themselves."
Jan Emerson, a spokesperson for the California Hospital Association, said CNA has been "impossible to deal with" under DeMoro, citing occurrences during a CNA demonstration at CHA's Sacramento headquarters in 2001 (Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 4/17).