In 1968, the nurses at DeKalb General Hospital elected to form a local unit of the Georgia State Nurses Association to act as their bargaining agent for collective bargaining purposes. The nurses wanted the hospital administration to negotiate with their elected committee concerning terms and conditions of employment. When the DeKalb General Hospital refused to recognize or negotiate with the Georgia State Nurses' Association local unit, the nurses resigned en masse with their resignations effective in six weeks. However, when the hospital abruptly fired the Director and Assistant Director of Nursing, the nurses tendered new resignations that went into effect in five days. On January 22, 1969 over 100 nurses from DeKalb General Hospital resigned. After the resignation, the hospital continued to operate using volunteers and nurses from the surrounding community. While a few of the nurses who resigned did resume their positions at the hospital, most eventually sought work elsewhere.
From the description of DeKalb General Hospital mass resignation records, 1959-1973, [bulk 1968-1969]. (Georgia State University). WorldCat record id: 51462577
