MNA Blog (Page 112)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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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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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!  »

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MNA Nurses fill out hundreds of Concern For Safe Staffing forms online each month. The story below is just one example of how unsafe staffing conditions inside Minnesota hospitals continue to have negative – and sometimes even deadly – consequences for patients and nurses. (Note: Due to HIPAA privacy laws for patients and concerns for potential workplace retaliation by employers against RNs, we do not identify the specific nurse and/or patient(s) involved in each story in this space.)

Today’s Story: I don’t feel patients are being safely monitored on this unit. With all the cardiac, respiratory, fall risk, and incontinence issues that the majority of  cardiacpatients have; it’s not safe for one nurse to adequately monitor 6 patients.
… Read more about: Unsafe Staffing Story: I wouldn’t send my own family to the hospital I work at!  »

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MNA Legislative Update February 10, 2012

 

Right to Work
Senator Dave Thompson (R-36, Lakeville) and Representative Steve Drazkowski (R-28B, Mazeppa) introduced a so-called “Right to Work” constitutional amendment.  To read these bills and follow their progress, visit the bill status pages on the Legislature’s website: Senate File 1705, House File 2140.

 

This legislation, backed by employers, will weaken unions, cut pay and benefits, and worst of all, will take away nurses’ power to advocate for our patients’ safety and our practice. “Right to Work” doesn’t create any jobs, and workers in Right to Work states actually earn significantly less than workers in collective bargaining states.
… Read more about: Legislative Update February 10, 2012  »

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In: Activism

MNA Nurses fill out hundreds of Concern For Safe Staffing forms online each month. The story below is just one example of how unsafe staffing conditions inside Minnesota hospitals continue to have negative – and sometimes even deadly – consequences for patients and nurses. (Note: Due to HIPAA privacy laws for patients and concerns for potential workplace retaliation by employers against RNs, we do not identify the specific nurse and/or patient(s) involved in each story in this space.)

Today’s Story: Charge nurse had 3 moms and 2 babies; one requiring constant help with newborn cares and breastfeeding. One staff nurse had 5 moms and 5 babies, including a new Caesarean birth and a new vaginal delivery with significant postpartum hemorrhage.
… Read more about: Unsafe Staffing Story: Too Many Babies, Not Enough Nurses  »

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In: Bargaining, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing

Minnesota Nurses Association Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Media Contact:                      Jan Rabbers  (612) 860-6658 or jan.rabbers@mnnurses.org

Mercy Hospital (Moose Lake) RNs Issue Concerns About Merger Negotiations

(Moose Lake, MN – February 8, 2012) As Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake moves toward a possible merger with Duluth-based Essentia Health, registered nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association met last week to discuss concerns regarding impact on the community and on the work environment at the hospital.

The meeting highlighted the nurses’ apprehensions about the overall process of merger negotiations, especially noting the lack of advice and involvement of patient care providers, patients, and potential patients.
… Read more about: Moose Lake’s Mercy RNs Issue Concerns About Merger Negotiations  »