MNA Blog

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Elections, Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

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Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
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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In: Elections, Home, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, North Memorial, Organizing, Press Releases, Unions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(St. Paul) – January 24, 2025 – On January 23, an overwhelming majority of Registered Nurses (RNs) at North Memorial’s Maple Grove Hospital voted to join the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). With nearly 600 nurses in the bargaining unit, this landmark decision reflects a growing movement among healthcare professionals to strengthen their collective voice and advocate for better working conditions, fair compensation, and enhanced patient care.

Nurses at Maple Grove Hospital came together to seek union representation as a clear demonstration of their commitment to enhancing their workplace, standing in solidarity with one another, and ensuring top-quality care for their patients.
… Read more about: MNA Welcomes Nearly 600 Nurses as Maple Grove Hospital Joins Union  »

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In: Elections, Home, Labor Unions, Nurses, Organizing, Press Releases, Unions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(St. Paul) – January 21, 2025 – Last week, a group of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, MN have voted overwhelmingly to join the existing Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) as a new bargaining unit.  

The bargaining unit of 56 nurses includes 11 LPNs and 45 RNs, and each group voted in strong support of unionizing. This decision comes in response to growing frustrations among nurses, particularly after management removed benefits for employees working under a .75 full-time equivalent (FTE). 
… Read more about: Nurses at Center City’s Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Vote for MNA Representation  »

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In: Healthcare, Home, Labor Unions, National Nurses United, Nurses, Press Releases, Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(St. Paul) – January 16, 2025 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), representing more than 22,000 nurses across the state, joins the nation’s largest union of registered nurses, National Nurses United (NNU), in celebrating the recognition of nurses as the most honest and ethical profession for the 23rd year in a row, according to the annual Gallup Honesty and Ethics poll.

“Nurses are deeply honored by this recognition from the public, which reaffirms the trust we work so hard to build every day,” said Chris Rubesch, RN, MNA President.
… Read more about: Nurses Voted Most Honest & Ethical Profession for 23rd Consecutive Year  »

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In: Events, Home, North Memorial, Nurses, Organizing, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 & File for MNA Representation  »

On:
In: Allina, Bargaining, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

 

(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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In: Duluth, Duluth Bargaining, Essentia, Home, Labor Unions, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(Duluth) – December 10, 2024 – Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) from Essentia’s East Market held a press conference on Monday evening at the Duluth Labor Temple to mark the one-year anniversary of their historic effort to secure union representation with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA).

Over the last year, the APPs have made significant strides in their organizing efforts, successfully forming their union and winning their election in July 2024. Despite the National Labor Relations Board’s certification of the vote, Essentia has repeatedly refused to recognize the union or come to the table to negotiate a contract in good faith.
… Read more about: Essentia East Market APPs Honor Union Anniversary, Call for Return to Bargaining Table  »

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In: Allina, Home, Press Releases, Workplace violence prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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  »

On:
In: Home, Minnesota Nurses Association, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 27, 2024 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) Board of Directors has named Elaina Hane the new Executive Director.

Elaina Hane brings over five years of experience in the labor industry, previously serving as an MNA Labor Relations Specialist, MNA’s Manager of Governance and Policy, MNA’s Manager of Field Operations, and most recently the Interim Executive Director position to which she was appointed in January of this year.

Hane also brings to the position over 17 years of experience as a registered bedside nurse, during which she was an active member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, serving on her bargaining unit’s negotiating team, as an elected delegate to MNA’s House of Delegates, and as a member of MNA’s Board of Directors, among other roles.
… Read more about: MNA announces appointment of new Executive Director     »

On:
In: Allina, Home, Nursing, Patient Safety, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

Contact:  Lauren Bloomquist

(c) 651-376-9709 

lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

 

New study from MNA includes review of Allina Health’s surrender to for-profit companies impacting workers, patients, and Allina’s business.

(St. Paul) – September 26, 2024 – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) today released a new report on the how Allina Health’s ties to financial parties have comprised the healthcare giant’s mission, business, and patient care. The 23-page report includes a review of the two interconnected players influencing patient care, Allina Health System and Piper Sandler; studies the growing corporate influence in local healthcare at Allina; and analyzes how the profit-driven approach of executives has failed in large part.  
… Read more about: New report highlights consequences of Allina Health’s financial ties compromising its mission, business, and patient care       »