MNA Blog (Page 133)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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)  »

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining

A special THANK YOU from Minnesota Nurses to all the amazing supporters from our community who walked with us during our May 12 informational picketing! (And if we omitted anyone please forgive us and add yourself in the comments!)

ELECTED OFFICIALS/CANDIDATES
Senator Scott Dibble
Senator Ken Kelash
Senator Paul Koering
Senator Ron Latz
Senator Sandy Rummel
Representative Erin Murphy
Representative Paul Thissen
St Paul City Council Member Dave Thune
Congressional Candidate Dan Powers
Congressional Candidate Jim Meffert
Office of Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega

UNIONS
AFSCME Council 5
Duluth Central Labor Council and President Dan O’Neill
Education Minnesota and Vice President Paul Mueller
International Association of Machinists
Laborer’s Local 563
Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation
Minnesota AFL-CIO and President Shar Knutson
Minnesota AFL-CIO Retiree Council
NALC branch 9
Northeast Area Labor Council and President Alan Netland
Operating Engineers Local 49
Painters and Allied Trades
Pipe Trades
Plumbers
Postal Workers
Teamsters Local 320
SEIU Local 26
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota
Sheet Metal Workers
St.
… Read more about: Solidarity!  »

On:
In: Bargaining

We started negotiations this week like we did every other week – ready to talk about staffing.  And, like every other week, management refused to negotiate about our most important issue.  We expressed concern that management had a goal for falls in 2009 of 218 (there were actually 249 falls that year).  We know that it is nearly impossible to prevent every fall.  But, as the spouse of one of our team members, who has been a safety manager for 36 years said, “the ultimate goal should be zero, especially for never events.  If there are more than zero falls, you should be working diligently to work out why and to make it zero.”

Our staffing ratios are important because we will be able to provide better care and help prevent adverse events like falls.  
… Read more about: Park Nicollet Methodist Update (May 13)  »