The RESPECT Act

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has been tracking several key pieces of legislation at the federal level on H.R. 1644/S.969 RESPECT Act - The Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act will clarify the definition of the term “supervisor” thereby limiting the ability of employers to take away union protections.

ANA commends the action of U.S. lawmakers to introduce legislation that would reverse a decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to expand the definition of the term "supervisor." That decision, rendered in September 2006, effectively limits the rights of thousands of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses to retain basic protections under federal labor law. 

The RESPECT Act and What it Means for ALL Nurses

  • The Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act - ANA Statement on RESPECT Act (3/26/07)

  • ANA Letters of Support - sent by ANA Dept. of Governmental Affairs

  • ANA Rejects NLRB Decision to Block Nurses’ Freedom to Unionize - ANA Press Release - (10/03/06)

  • ANA Legal Brief - ANA and its labor affiliate the United American Nurses, filed a joint amicus brief to describe for the board the nature of nursing practice and how that fits within the context of labor law. ANA urges interested parties to read the brief as it provides an excellent overview of nursing practice and the National Labor Relations Act. [PDF]

  • Code of Ethics for Nurses (excerpt) - 6.3 [PDF]

  • Kentucky River Case - Background information