MNA Blog (Page 128)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

On:
In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing

One of our Twin Cities nurses e-mailed Allina CEO Ken Paulus asking why hospital executives got bonuses during the 2009 economic recession. Paulus responded via the first e-mail below that none of the executives in the Allina system (which includes United Hospital, among others) got bonuses (which he calls “merit increases”) in 2009.

Then another Twin Cities nurse asks the United Hospital President, Tomi Ryba, the same question – why did hospital executives get bonuses during the 2009 recession? (Paulus just said they did NOT get bonuses, remember?) Tomi confirms in the second e-mail below that these executives did in fact get bonuses!
… Read more about: What else are they hiding?  »

On:
In: Bargaining, Hospitals

The video below illustrates the fundamental issue at the heart of this entire dispute: Hospitals are (1) Applying business/profit models like Toyota’s “Lean Production” to the “business” of caring for critically ill human beings and (2) Trying to keep up with one another in a medical arms race to create the fanciest, day-spa type facilities to attract patients. So, why, when caring for patients is at the heart of their nonprofit mission, do hospitals respond to the economic recession by cutting the staff caring for those patients while continuing to build outdoor boardwalks and put flat screen TVs everywhere?

And speaking of the recession, Twin Cities hospitals STILL made nearly $700 million in profits during 2009.
… Read more about: The heart of this entire dispute  »

On:
In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing

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

ST. PAUL (May 19, 2010) – Twin Cities nurses made history Wednesday by voting to authorize the largest nursing strike in U.S. history, with more than 12,000 RNs ready to walk off the job if a new contract agreement with six Twin Cities hospital systems can’t be reached before June 1, when the current labor deal expires.

Of the 9,000-plus Twin Cities RNs who voted Wednesday, more than 90 percent voted to reject the labor contracts and pension proposals from the hospitals.

“Thousands of us gathered here today for one simple reason,” said Minnesota Nurses Association President Linda Hamilton, an RN in the Children’s Hospital System.
… Read more about: It’s Official: Twin Cities Nurses Authorize Largest Strike in U.S. History  »

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In: Bargaining

Minnesota has been the leader in the nation and in the world for health care.  If this is to continue, the field of nursing needs to be supported.  The outlook for health care is certain in that there will be less health care providers including nurses and doctors taking care of more patients including the baby boomer generation to which my own parents belong.  This ratio can mean only one direction for health care unless priorities change.  We hit a plateau in health care in the last decade and now we are declining.  I work at an inner city private hospital and have for 13 years.  
… Read more about: An Open Letter to MN Politicians from a MN Nurse  »

On:
In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing

The stats don’t lie – the type of safe staffing language Twin Cities nurses are proposing to Twin Cities hospitals during 2010 contract negotiations not only improves patient safety and quality of care, but it also saves the hospitals money!

Safe staffing ratios save hospitals money

  • Adding 133,000 RNs to the acute care hospital workface across the U.S. would produce medical savings estimated at $6.1 billion in reduced patient care costs, not including the value of increased productivity when nurses help patients recover more quickly, an estimated additional $231 million per year. Combining medical savings with increased productivity, the partial estimates of economic value averages $57,700 for each of the additional 133,000 RNs.

    • … Read more about: MNA’s Proposed Safe Staffing Ratios Would Save Twin Cities Hospitals Money  »

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining, Politics

To all MNA nurses,

The NNU just had their first National Conference in Washington DC, May 9-12th.  Two other HealthEast Home Care nurses, as well as myself were privileged enough to be able to attend.  Support for the MNA was prevalent, as there were many nurses from many states, cheering and showing their support for MNA.  Linda Hamilton, President of MNA gave a rousing speech about your current contract negotiations.  It was amazing to hear that the same things they are fighting for, are the same things we, at HealthEast, are fighting for as well.  California has already implemented ratios, and the results have been amazing!  
… Read more about: HealthEast HomeCare Nurses Visit D.C., Advocate for MNA  »

On:
In: Bargaining

The pension bargaining committee met today with the Hospital Representatives. A Federal Mediator was present. The MNA Pension Committee members  discussed the proposal the Hospital submitted via email on May 3rd, 2010. Your Pension Bargaining Committee presented the Hospitals a counter proposal. The Hospitals continue to demand draconian cuts to your pension benefits, stating their intent is to reduce their costs.

The Hospitals would rather spend time and money on scabs than maintaining your current pension benefits.  They are willing to spend $$$ – just not on you. Your Pension Committee is  recommending that Twin City Nurses vote to reject the Hospitals proposal and authorize a strike.
… Read more about: Pension Bargaining Update (May 14)  »