Responding to allegations of gender discrimination and sexual harassment from some people who worked on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) 2016 presidential campaign, National Nurses United (NNU)—which endorsed the senator’s bid for president—is calling on all candidates in the 2020 race “to establish strong, mandatory rules to protect staffers and volunteers from all forms of sexual harassment, and to ensure pay equity for all paid campaign staff.”
“Strong mechanisms must be put in place to prevent harassment, that include full accountability for those who engage in such reprehensible behavior and by those with oversight responsibility.”
—Bonnie Castillo, NNU
“Sexual harassment can never be treated as business as usual or swept under the rug. Apologies alone are not enough. Strong mechanisms must be put in place to prevent harassment, that include full accountability for those who engage in such reprehensible behavior and by those with oversight responsibility,” NNU executive director Bonnie Castillo, RN, said in a statement on Thursday.
While noting that “sexual harassment continues to be a widespread concern that touches every corner of our society, and every workplace, including political campaigns,” and “as an organization of nurses, who are predominantly women, we are acutely aware of the pervasive, appalling national problem,” Castillo added that “it is especially important that candidates for our highest office set a standard” with comprehensive policies to prevent discrimination and harassment, and to adequately serve the needs of survivors.
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