After a unanimous vote by the AFL-CIO Executive Council to call for Gov. Ralph Northam’s resignation, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued the following statement:

Gov. Northam’s racist actions of the past—and his behavior of the past few days—cut against everything we stand for. He has shown himself not to be the leader Virginia and America need, and he must resign immediately.

This protracted exercise has been a painful, embarrassing trial for Virginians and the country as a whole. Gov. Northam’s refusal to step aside is only further deepening the wounds he has inflicted.

We call on Gov. Northam to change course and accept the only path that will allow us to heal and move forward together.

Applications now are being accepted for the 2019 OPEIU educational scholarships, and all members are encouraged to apply. Full details, rules and applications can be found at OPEIU.org under the Member Resources/Union Benefits link, as well as on the OPEIU app*.

Little Rock, Ark. (Jan. 15, 2019) – OPEIU Local 22 registered nurses employed at CHI St. Vincent are expressing outrage over the announcement that the labor and delivery and NCIU – originally slated for closing on March 1 – will now close by early February.

“The hard-working nurses who staff the L&D unit are still reeling from the announcement that the 130-year-old unit would be closing on March 1 – the reason for which we still haven’t been told – and now we find out the unit will close even sooner,” said Paige Yates, RN, president of Local 22. “This rush to close leaves our community and the families who depend on the labor and delivery unit, including the many inductions and caesarean births already scheduled for the coming months, in an extremely vulnerable position.”