From Lori Nelson, RN, and Jim Danielson, RN, members of MNA’s Allina Bargaining Team
Bargaining Concludes
Today, our morning was spent entirely on Letters of Understanding. There was some meaningful discussion where RNs on our team appealed to management to continue to value nurses voices and to continue to work collaboratively on staffing issues with nurses. Sadly, we did not discuss the substantial differences that still exist between management’s proposals of concessions and our proposals that would build on the years of hard work in bargaining and advance our profession. Management again spent hours in caucus without moving the process forward.
Expect a surprise from management before the May 19th vote. The employer has tried to convince nurses that their concessions are “in the eye of the beholder.” We expect them to attempt to spin these takeaways as necessary “streamlining.” Again, if we allow this type of bargaining, it would be like someone breaking into our house, stealing our furniture, only to try to sell it back to us!
Click here to read a summary of the takebacks that the employer has left on the table, along with our most recent proposals.
It is also very important that RNs attend All Nurse Meetings that have been scheduled for each hospital before the 19th and of course we want to have every single nurse attend the vote on May 19th at River Centre from 6AM to 10PM! Get on the bus!
Allina All Nurse Meetings:
- Mercy: Monday, May 17th at Lindee’s (3395 Coon Rapids Blvd). Times: 745am/130pm/345pm
- Abbott: Thursday, May 13th in Education Building Auditorium A/B. Times: 730a/130p/330p/730p
- Unity: Tuesday, May 18th in Unity Auditorium. Times: 745a/10a/145p/400p/600p/800p
- United: Monday, May 17th. 8am at the MNA Office (345 Randolph in St. Paul) and 130pm/400pm/800pm in the John Nasseff Miller Room at United.