By Doug Cunningham

AFL-CIO Vice-President Arlene Holt Baker is joining striking Kentucky nurses today and she won't show up empty handed. She’s bringing a $20,000 check from the AFL-CIO to help provide emergency financial support for the hundreds of nurses striking Appalachian Regional Healthcare. The nurses in Kentucky and West Virginia have been on strike since October 1st against seven hospitals over staffing and patient care issues. The nurses want higher staffing levels maintained and higher patient care standards. Holt Baker will join the nurses in Lexington, Kentucky today to present the AFL-CIO check of support.