MNA Blog (Page 111)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

I am writing in opposition to the right to work bill. I would like my voice heard! This bill is totally unnecessary, unfair and furthermost UNSAFE. I am an RN, this amendment would put my patients at risk because it would make it much harder to negotiate and advocate for things like safe staffing.

This amendment will take the power from the workers and put more power into the hands of the CEO’s.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out: Marcia Whitman  »

On:
In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators.

On:
In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

Today Senator Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville), the author of the so-called “Right to Work” bill, took the unusual step of moving his bill from the Jobs Committee (where it had stalled and possibly didn’t have enough votes to pass) to the Judiciary Committee. As you know, “Right to Work” is a deceptive bill aimed at weakening unions and taking away workers’ voices in their worksites. It is unsafe, unnecessary and unfair:

On:
In: Activism, Politics

Last Friday you received an email notifying you about the hearing on the National Nurse Licensure Compact (SF230
… Read more about: Breaking News on Important Legislative Issue: National Nurse Licensure Compact  », also known as the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact) scheduled for today in the Minnesota Senate. We have gotten more specific information on the timing of the hearing: the Compact will be last on the agenda for the hearing, and we have been told by Health and Human Services Committee staff to expect the compact to come up sometime between 5:00 and 6:30 pm tonight. Schedules at the Legislature are very fluid and things may change, so we can’t give you an exact start time, but we believe that if you arrive by 6:00 pm you will be there in time to hear the discussion.

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In: Uncategorized

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  »

On:
In: Activism

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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In: Uncategorized

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  »