MNA Blog (Page 110)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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MNA Nurses Day on the Hill

Nurses from every corner of the state came together on Monday and Tuesday to learn more about legislation at the Capitol that will affect nurses and patients, and to talk to their elected officials enacting policies based on nursing values. Nurses focused on:

  • The unfair, unsafe and unnecessary “Right to Work” legislation that will weaken unions and hurt nurses and patients.
  • Constitutional amendments that will write gridlock and budgeting gimmicks into Minnesota’s Constitution.
  • Threats to nursing practice like the National Nurse Licensure Compact and a proposal to create a redundant and punitive criminal background check specifically for nurses.

    • … Read more about: Legislative Update March 2, 2012  »

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Bemidji RN Sandra K. Nye wrote an amazing essay – published in her area newspaper – recently on safe staffing levels. Please take a few minutes to read and consider what Sandra points out:

There is an alarming pattern of increased adverse events occurring in hospitals throughout the U.S., which includes medication errors, unnecessary deaths, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections.

A direct relationship exists between the quality of nursing care and amount of time a Registered Nurse spends with each patient. These events are preventable by simply increasing RN numbers each shift. Nurses are the greatest defense for patient safety, so it is vital that safe RN staffing becomes a priority in hospital policy and budget.
… Read more about: RN Essay: The Numbers Don’t Lie – Safe Staffing Saves Lives  »

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MNA Legislative Update February 17, 2012

 

Right to Work
“Right to Work” constitutional amendments that would weaken unions and undermine workers’ rights have been introduced at the Capitol. These bills are unnecessary, unsafe and unfair. They will not create jobs and will not help our economy. They will make all of our families unsafe if professionals like nurses, firefighters and police officers have their voices silenced in the workplace. Minnesota has the third highest quality of life in the United States. We have a far lower rate of unemployment than the national average. States that already have Right to Work laws have lower qualities of life and higher unemployment than states with strong collective bargaining rights.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, Feb. 17, 2012  »

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In: Activism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: John Nemo, 651-414-2863

ST. PAUL (February 15, 2012) – As Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton delivered his State of the State speech Wednesday, the leader of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) echoed her organization’s support for the Governor’s top priorities – jobs, education and reform.

“What our friends, neighbors and patients do need are good-paying jobs, access to affordable healthcare and great education for our children,” said MNA President Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN. “What they don’t need is a slew of divisive constitutional amendments that do nothing to address the core needs of Minnesotans across the state.
… Read more about: MNA Statement on Gov. Dayton’s State of the State  »

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In: Labor Unions

So proud of our MNA State Nurses! Did you see this item from the Governor’s Office? Here’s the press release:

St. Paul, MN – Today the Minnesota State Employees Combined Charities Campaign presented their 2011 donations in support of Minnesota charities.  The donations, totaling $842,639.13, will benefit 39 charitable federations working in communities across the state to support vital health, education, arts, and social service programs. The campaign consists of 2,320 state employees that chose to donate a portion of their paycheck towards a charitable organization via payroll deduction.

Lt. Governor Prettner Solon, the honorary chairperson of the campaign, presented the ‘big check’ to ten federation representatives at an event this morning in the Governor’s reception room.
… Read more about: MNA State RNs = Generosity, Service  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Labor Unions

UNITE HERE Local 17 has been in contract negotiations with The Saint Paul Hotel since November 2011. The Hotel has hired a Union busting attorney, John Hauge, and is proposing to take away daily overtime, have workers contribute to their Health Insurance, and impose a 2 tiered wage system, reducing wages by as much as $5.00 per hour, undercutting ALL other Hotel contracts in the Twin Cities Area and lowering the standards of the Hospitality Industry. This is the same Hotel that once wanted to “pay the highest wages and attract the best workers”. The Saint Paul Hotel is a 4 Diamond property and was recently named as the best Hotel in Minnesota.
… Read more about: Please Support our Union brothers and sisters in St. Paul on Feb. 16th!  »