Bismarck Nurses Will Picket CHI St. Alexius Health Hospital Over Staffing and Patient Care Issues

Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

(Bismarck) – June 12, 2020 – St. Alexius MNA nurses will be holding an informational picket on Thursday, June 25, in accordance with the 10-day notice filed with CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck Hospital. After more than 20 bargaining sessions with hospital management, nurse members are still asking for solutions to short staffing, recruitment, and retention to assure Bismarck patients get the care they deserve.

“We care about our hospital and our community,” said Margo Maxon, RN at St. Alexius. “We want to work with CHI to raise the standards in our hospital to make sure we provide the best care to our patients. We can’t do that without retaining experienced nurses who will stay to care for our community and making sure there are enough nurses on staff every day to provide patients the level of care they deserve.”

Workers who take part in the picket will be on their off-hours. No workers will leave their jobs to attend, and no patient care will be affected.

When:      Thursday, June 25, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.
Where:     Public area around CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck Hospital 
900 East Broadway, Bismarck, ND 58501
Who:        MNA nurses working at CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck Hospital and supportive members of the Bismarck community
What:        Informational Picket; this is not a strike or a work stoppage
Why:         To demand solutions to short staffing, recruitment, and retention to assure Bismarck patients get the care they deserve.
Note:  The picket will take place outside, where nurses and community members will use proper precautions necessary during the COVD-19 pandemic.
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