Features

UMC Nurses Strike on May Day!

On International Workers Day, after more than a year at the bargaining table, unionized nurses at University Medical Center held their third strike for safe staffing, fair pay, and the ability to provide quality care for patients. Their fight is about saving lives in a system where they’re constantly being asked to do more with less: fewer nurses, fewer resources, more patients, more pressure. It’s a recipe for burnout, for harm, and for driving good nurses out of the profession entirely.

With the support of a united front of the New Orleans Rank & File Project, Step Up Louisiana, AFSCME, Unite Here, CWA, IUPAT, FRSO, and DSA, the nurses picketed from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 at night, and they’re ready to continue so long as management refuses to sign a fair contract. UMC executives know if nurses win a strong, enforceable union contract, it sets a precedent for nurses everywhere. It proves that organizing works, that solidarity works, that workers united can beat back corporate greed. So this fight isn’t just about UMC, it’s about standing up to an entire system that treats people as costs to cut instead of lives to care for. It’s about saying no to a world where executives get bonuses while denying frontline workers basic dignity.

It’s about building power together. When nurses strike, they don’t get paid. After prior strikes, management has turned to out-of-state replacements at outrageous cost, locking nurses out of work for days. Many live paycheck to paycheck, have families to support, student loans to pay, and no safety net. A strike fund gives them a fighting chance—it helps us hold the line just a little longer.

Every dollar we donate to the Strike Fund keeps a nurse on the picket line. It’s gas in the tank, food on the table, rent paid. But more than that, it’s a declaration: you believe that workers—not CEOs—control the future of healthcare.

Views from Membership: Something For Everyone - Andy L

None of us knows what the future will hold, and watch out if someone says that they have it all worked out. We’re driving at night here - we may know where we’re headed, but the headlights will only light up so far ahead. However, there are things that we can do now, skills we can hone, relationships that we can build that will help us no matter what comes down the road.

One of the biggest challenges facing us is overcoming the atomization of our society. This rugged individualist bullshit that we’ve been fed for decades is going to be the death of us, be it by making us easy to pick off one-by-one or by intimidating us when we look at the enormity of the task ahead.

Look, I get it: when you’re alone in the tall grass and you hear a tiger, you get scared. But when you’re out there with ten of your buddies, you’re like, “Let’s get that fucking tiger!”

Humans accomplish things together. We always have, and we always will. We, as organizers, need to drive everyone we can into groups who are doing the work. Just get people active. Some will join us in DSA, others will find homes in other orgs. The important thing is that they are active with some organization, not doom scrolling alone on their couch.

Talk to your liberal friends. Heck, your conservative friends as well. Find out what they care about the most, and nudge them towards an org that is doing that kind of work. And then follow up with them. This isn’t rocket science. This is organizing, and we’re organizers. It’s OK to be a little annoying - they’re your friends, right? To change everything, we’re going to need everybody.

Bulletins

Nominations for Delegates to National Convention

DSA National Convention will be August 8-10 in Chicago. Chapter delegates and at-large delegates from across the country meet to set our course for the following two years and elect our new National Political Committee (NPC), which functions as DSA’s highest decision-making body between conventions. If you're interested in being one of our seven New Orleans delegates, please fill out this form by May 24th. After nominations, everyone will receive an OpaVote link to vote.

Nominations for 2025-2026 Local Council

Local Council is our democratically elected chapter leadership with responsibility for managing the overall direction of the chapter. Local Council consists of two co-chairs, one membership chair, one secretary, one treasurer, two at-large members, a steward for each of the official committees, and a representative of each administrative or currently-chartered campaign group. For a complete description, see our chapter bylaws. To nominate yourself or someone else, email a candidate statement to [email protected].

Submissions Open for 2025 Local Convention

New Orleans DSA’s annual Local Convention will be June 28. Submissions can include proposals to amend bylaws, resolutions for new campaigns, or they can be for other chapter business. Reach out to Jack RS for information on how to write a resolution, and stay tuned for a resolution writing workshop ahead of convention.

New Orleans DSA Launches Red Rabbits Working Group

Red Rabbits Working Group is looking to provide membership with digital safety techniques and assist with marshaling in-person events. If you’d like to get involved in digital safety please contact Aaron J, or for in-person marshaling please contact Tristan T.

Political Education Committee Reading Group

The Political Education Committee’s book for the month is Revolutionary Mathematics by Justin Joque. Whether you finish the book, only part of it, or just want to hang out for discussion, come by Z’otz Cafe, 8210 Oak St., on May 15 at 7:00 pm.

Labor Notes New Orleans Troublemakers School

Troublemakers School is a one-day organizing conference where workplace organizers can learn skills and share strategies for building stronger unions. Build your organizing muscle to take on bosses who are on the offensive. Hear from local workers who’ve fought back and won. Expand your toolkit for grievances, contract campaigns, and community fights. Let’s put some movement back in the labor movement! The next Troublemakers School is Saturday, May 31, 10:00a-5:00p, at IATSE Union Hall, 511 N. Hennessey St. Information and registration at Labor Notes, or contact [email protected].

Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair

Our next Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair is June 14 at A.P. Tureaud Civil Rights Memorial Park, 1800 A.P. Tureaud Ave.! Last time we changed lights in 19 vehicles and distributed 96 hot meals. If you’re interested in volunteering you can sign up here.

Community Calendar

Saturday, May 3

7:00a-8:00p Election Day - Sample Ballot

1:00-4:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) - Signup

Sunday, May 4

11:00a-12:00p Coffee with Comrades - Coffee Science, 410 Broad St.

1:00-4:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) - Signup

Monday, May 5

6:00-7:30p Make Entergy Pay Campaign Meeting - Care Forgot Beercraft, 1728 St. Charles Ave.

Tuesday, May 6

6:00-8:00p Rank & File Project Meeting - REACH Center, 2022 St. Bernard Ave., Bldg. C, 3rd Fl.

Wednesday, May 7

5:00-6:00p Health Justice and Direct Service Meeting - Zoom

7:00-8:00p Municipal Action Committee Meeting - Zoom

Thursday, May 8

6:00-7:30p Local Council Meeting - Zoom

Saturday, May 10

1:00-4:00p Canvassing (Bob Murrell, District A) - Signup

Down the Road

May 20 Sports Drink Community Night: All About Labor - Sports Drink, 1042 Toledano Ave.

May 31 New Orleans DSA General Meeting - New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave.

May 31 Troublemakers School - IATSE Union Hall, 511 N. Hennessey St.

June 14 Brake Light Clinic & Health Fair - A.P. Tureaud Civil Rights Memorial Park, 1800 A.P. Tureaud Ave.

June 28 New Orleans DSA Local Convention - New Orleans

August 8-10 DSA National Convention - Chicago

October 11 Municipal Election Day - Open Primary

November 15 Municipal Election Day - Runoff

Complete Calendar

Solidarity Means Action is the weekly newsletter of the New Orleans Democratic Socialists of America. Subscribe to receive updates every Friday at 8:00 am.