The National Association of Government Employees (NAGE Local R3 -19), an affiliate of Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU Local 5000), has grown to be one of the leaders in collective bargaining and representation for Registered Nurses employed by the Veterans Affairs.

      As an affiliate of SEIU, NAGE is part of the largest health care union in the United States.  This affiliation has permitted an increase in our ability to serve our membership, as well as, work with other nurses across the country on the issues that impact of Nurses.  NAGE R 3-19/ SEIU Local 5000 has worked closely with State and Federal legislators on such issues as safe needle laws, whistleblower protection, staffing ratios, and proposals to eliminate mandatory overtime.

      The Local negotiated its first contract for VA Nurses in 1972. At that time, we represented RNs at only one location in Maryland, the Perry Point VA Hospital.  We have progressively expanded our reach, since that time.  In the mid 1990s, the RNs at the Baltimore VA voted to organize with this Local.  Currently, we represent RNs at Baltimore VAMC, Loch Raven campus, and Perry Point.  Presently, the bargaining unit is over 500 RNs strong. 

Our strength is in our members.  Nurses organized for better patient care.