Aspirus St. Luke's nurses launch bargaining, advocate for increased staffing to boost patient care and nurse safety

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Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(Duluth) – April 23, 2025 – MNA nurses at Aspirus St. Luke’s launched contract bargaining today with the hospital, and are eager to address longstanding concerns around staffing levels and unsafe work conditions at the facility.

“MNA nurses appreciate the vision of Aspirus St. Luke’s which commits to patients, people and the community. Like Aspirus, MNA nurses have a guiding vision that is deeply rooted in patient care. Currently, the state of nursing in Minnesota is dire. The average number of adverse events is up in Minnesota hospitals, the cost of healthcare continues to rise, the number of nurses facing violence and injury is at an all-time high and nurses continue to flee the bedside due to unsafe conditions and staffing levels.

St. Luke’s nurses are focusing on a simple solution to these problems. By agreeing to increased levels of nurse staffing, patients at St. Luke’s will receive better care and be less likely to face readmission or other negative outcomes. In turn, nurses will be safer on the job and more likely to stay or even return to the bedside.

We hope that Aspirus St. Luke’s continues to hold patients, people and the community in mind when considering our proposals.” — Larissa Hubbartt, RN

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Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(Duluth) – April 23, 2025 – MNA nurses at Aspirus St. Luke’s launched contract bargaining today with the hospital, and are eager to address longstanding concerns around staffing levels and unsafe work conditions at the facility.

“MNA nurses appreciate the vision of Aspirus St. Luke’s which commits to patients, people and the community. Like Aspirus, MNA nurses have a guiding vision that is deeply rooted in patient care. Currently, the state of nursing in Minnesota is dire. The average number of adverse events is up in Minnesota hospitals, the cost of healthcare continues to rise, the number of nurses facing violence and injury is at an all-time high and nurses continue to flee the bedside due to unsafe conditions and staffing levels.
… Read more about: Aspirus St. Luke’s nurses launch bargaining, advocate for increased staffing to boost patient care and nurse safety  »

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Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – April 16, 2025 – In response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entering and arresting a hospital employee at the MNA-represented Avera hospital in Marshall, Minnesota, the MNA Board of Directors reaffirms their position that nurses should not and will not serve any role in immigration enforcement and hopes that all hospital employees will also reject a role in assisting ICE.

A full statement regarding MNA’s position on safeguarding and protecting those who we serve and care for as nurses reads as follows:

As nurses and healthcare professionals, our primary responsibility is to provide compassionate, ethical, and high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their background, status, or circumstance.
… Read more about: MNA condemns ICE arrest of hospital employee at MNA-represented facility  »

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Contact: Laurie Laker 
(c) 612-741-0662 
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org    

(St. Paul) – April 4, 2025 – With the appointment of Dr. Thomas Klemond as interim CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) is reiterating the need for leadership that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the safety and well-being of workers and patients alike. 

The resignation of former CEO Jennifer DeCubellis followed a resounding vote of “No Confidence” by nurses in November 2023, driven by decisions that increased healthcare costs for workers, undermined labor rights, and eroded essential services. While her departure was a necessary step, the need for leadership that upholds the values of public service and respect for frontline workers remains urgent. 
… Read more about: Nurses look to work with interim Hennepin Healthcare CEO, and to hold leadership to account.  »

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Contact: Laurie Laker
 (c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org 

(St. Paul) – March 28, 2025 – A recent announcement by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rolling back the state telework policy has left Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members working for the state of Minnesota shocked and frustrated. Governor Walz’s mandate would give state employees just over 9 weeks to make this adjustment, requiring them to work onsite at least 50% of their working days each month. Nurses expect this policy reversal to have a chilling effect on the state’s progress in hiring nurses for much needed roles in state agencies 

Nursing roles within the state of Minnesota have been historically difficult to fill due to the significantly lower salaries offered by the state.
… Read more about: Minnesota nurses rebuke Governor’s directive to return to office  »

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In: Healthcare, Home, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Patient Safety, Patient Safety Standards, Press Releases

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Contact: Laurie Laker
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laurie.laker@mnnurses.org 

(St. Paul) – March 27, 2025 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) is raising the alarm about devastating impacts that will come because of the $226 million federal funding cut to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This funding loss threatens to create an immediate and significant public health crisis across our state.  

As a leading voice of public health and patient advocacy in the state, the duty of nurse extends far beyond the bedside. Nurses are advocates for public health and committed to protecting our patients and the communities we serve.
… Read more about: Minnesota nurses stand against devastating cuts to public health funding     »

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Contact: Laurie Laker 
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laurie.laker@mnnurses.org   

(St. Paul) – March 27, 2025 – With the resignation of Jennifer DeCubellis as CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) are calling for a new direction in leadership—one that prioritizes public service, patient care, and worker respect. 

Hennepin Healthcare nurses overwhelmingly cast a vote of “No Confidence” in DeCubellis in November 2023, citing harmful decisions that increased healthcare costs for workers, undermined labor rights, and reduced essential services. While her departure is long overdue, the need for strong, collaborative leadership has never been greater. 
… Read more about: MNA HHS Tri-Chairs welcome DeCubellis’ departure from Hennepin Healthcare   »

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Contact: Laurie Laker
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laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – January 24, 2025 – Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today announced their endorsement of Doron Clark for the Senate District 60 special election of the Minnesota Senate.

Endorsed candidates are recognized for their leadership and collaboration with nurses to address critical issues affecting both nurses and patients. To earn nurses’ endorsement, candidates must show dedication to MNA priorities, including resolving the nurse retention and patient care crisis, opposing the growing corporatization and consolidation in healthcare, and advocating for workers’ rights to a collective voice that upholds dignity and respect in the workplace.
… Read more about: Nurses announce endorsement for Minnesota State Senate District 60 special election  »

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Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – December 27, 2024 – This afternoon, a supermajority of Registered Nurses (RNs) from the North Memorial Health’s Maple Grove Hospital announced that they have organized and filed for an election vote to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA).  

Nurses’ decision to organize and seek union representation highlights their shared commitment to improving their workplace, supporting fellow nursing staff, and prioritizing patient wellbeing and care at Maple Grove. Nurses at Maple Grove have a long and demonstrated history of providing excellent care for their patients, often providing such excellent care in spite of high demands on their time, capacity, and limited access to support resources.
… Read more about: North Memorial’s Maple Grove Hospital nurses organize and file for MNA representation  »

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In: Allina, Bargaining, Home, Press Releases

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Contact: Laurie Laker
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(St. Paul) – December 19, 2024 – Registered Nurses (RNs) in the Cath-Lab Department at Allina’s United Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to join the existing Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) bargaining unit at United Hospital in St. Paul.

The nurses’ decision to organize and seek union representation highlights their shared commitment to improving their workplace and patient care. Nurses in the Cath-Lab have had longstanding issues with hospital management, including no language around mandatory low needs, as well as having lost numerous shifts due to situations beyond their control.
… Read more about: Cath Lab nurses at Allina’s United Hospital overwhelmingly vote to join union  »

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Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – December 3, 2024 – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has validated what nurses have been saying for years by citing Abbott Northwestern Hospital with over a dozen “serious” violations of workplace violence.

While nurses have been raising the alarm about the lack of workplace violence protections for some time, the recent OSHA violations span over a 6-month period from December of 2023 to May of 2024. According to OSHA, “a serious violation exists when the workplace hazard could cause an accident or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, unless the employer did not know or could not have known of the violation.” OSHA has levied a penalty of $83,600 after their investigation revealed alarming levels of workplace violence at the hospital, which has put nurses and other healthcare workers at significant risk.
… Read more about: Following OSHA fines, MNA calls for Allina Health to take action to address workplace safety  »