MNA Blog (Page 25)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

On:
In: Activism, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

By Rachel Hanneman, RN

On March 13, 2020, the first of many Peacetime Emergency Acts was implemented in Minnesota. Since that time, we have endured a raging pandemic, social unrest and unnerving threats to the foundations of our stability. Gratitude was tested in unimaginable ways as citizens across the state hunkered down for an unprecedented time indoors. Unfortunately, the opportunity for safe harbor was not granted to all workers across the state, and approximately one million Minnesotans still answered the call of the time clock.

Peace of mind was granted by way of hot meals being prepared for carry out, shelves being stocked with food and games, and hospitals being staffed by an immense team of personnel.
… Read more about: For those who stood beside us  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – October 14, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) at Allina’s WestHealth campus in Plymouth, Minn. will go on strike from Sunday, October 17 through Wednesday, October 20, 2021, as nurses seek a contract with Allina that provides fair pay and benefits to nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sonya Worner, a Registered Nurse at WestHealth, said, “WestHealth nursing staff stayed the course during the COVID-19 pandemic.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses to Strike at Allina WestHealth for Fair Pay and Benefits  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Push comes as Republicans continue to demand the exclusion of hundreds of thousands of workers while continuing to threaten the firing of the Health Commissioner, holding up process of getting money out

(Saint Paul) – On Wednesday, October 6th, Essential workers who have kept our state running throughout COVID were joined Wednesday by members of the Frontline Worker Pay Worker Group at the Minnesota State Capitol to demand action on a final deal from the group that includes all essential workers as Republicans on the group continue to bring up divisive issues and hold up the process that is now one month past its deadline.
… Read more about: One Month Past Deadline, Workers and Frontline Worker Pay Working Group Members Push for Proposal That Doesn’t Leave Behind Any Essential Workers  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org 
“I thought you said we were essential?!”: Workers reject GOP proposal to exclude building service, food, childcare and other staff most at risk

(St. Paul) – September 30, 2021 – Essential workers responded to a plan released by the Republican members of the Frontline Worker Pay Work Group with disappointment and encouraged lawmakers to work together to find a solution that does not exclude essential workers from the frontline worker pay fund created by Governor Walz and the legislature.

“My parents work in the food service industry, and unfortunately, they got COVID.
… Read more about: Essential Workers Demand Fair, Fast Action from Frontline Pay Group  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 29, 2021 – This Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 1 p.m. CST, MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN, and the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force will meet to prioritize and advance final recommendations to inform federal COVID-19 response and to address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on some of our most vulnerable communities, including inequities by race, ethnicity, geography, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors.

This will be the seventh meeting of the national task force since it was formed in February.
… Read more about: MNA President Turner, Biden-Harris COVID-19 Task Force to Meet on Federal Pandemic Response  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Shannon Cunningham
(o) 651-414-2838
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 9, 2021 – Recently, the MNA Board of Directors surveyed MNA members asking their positions on impending mandatory vaccination programs being put forth by Minnesota hospitals. After reviewing the results of the survey and the wide variety of member positions on these issues, the MNA BOD does not believe members are unified around any one position either for or against the mandatory vaccination programs. As a result of that, the MNA Board is releasing the following statement:

The Minnesota Nurses Association believes that voluntary vaccination programs along with other essential infection control measures such as optimal personal protective equipment, contact tracing, rapid testing and results, adequate staffing, hygiene, environmental controls, isolation policies, and paid COVID leave for healthcare workers who need to quarantine are the most effective strategy for a healthy population and that all those who can be vaccinated should be.
… Read more about: MNA Board of Directors’ Statement on Member Vaccine Mandate Survey  »

On:
In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Shannon Cunningham
(o) 651-414-2838
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 7, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association is proud to announce endorsements of Mike Mayou for Duluth’s 2nd District City Council Seat, Renee Van Nett for Duluth’s 4th District City Council Seat, and Terese Tomanek and Joe Macor for the two at-large seats.

The endorsement process included a candidate questionnaire and an interview with candidates by a local screening committee of nurse members who live and work in Duluth.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Endorse Candidates for Duluth City Council  »

On:
In: Politics, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Shannon Cunningham
(o) 651-414-2838
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – August 11, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association is proud to announce the endorsement of Melvin Carter for St. Paul Mayor. The endorsement process included a candidate questionnaire and an interview with Carter by a local screening committee of nurse members who live and work in St. Paul. Those nurses made a recommendation to the nurse-elected MNA Board for the endorsement of Melvin Carter.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Endorse Melvin Carter for St. Paul Mayor  »

On:
In: COVID-19, Uncategorized

By John Welsh, RN, MNA Health and Safety Committee member

This summer, the Biden Administration issued new workplace safety rules regarding COVID-19 that we believe give nurses important rights to protect themselves as the pandemic continues.

Notebook page with text OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration, on a table with a stethoscope and pen, medical concept.

While the COVID-19 vaccine and increased supply of Personal Protective Equipment have dramatically improved nurse safety compared to last year, COVID-19 remains dangerous, and healthcare workers remain vulnerable. These new rules are essential to hold employers accountable for worker safety.

Technically, what the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration did was determine that employee exposure to COVID-19 presents a grave danger to workers in healthcare settings and issued Emergency Temporary Standards to address the issue.
… Read more about: New OSHA COVID-19 rules give nurses important rights to protect themselves  »

On:
In: Press Releases

Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

 

(St. Paul) – July 29, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have filed a formal notice of their intent to hold an Informational Picket outside Allina’s WestHealth campus in Plymouth, Minn., on Tuesday, August 3.

MNA nurses have been negotiating a new contract with Allina for months, but Allina management has refused to provide the benefits nurses proposed to settle the labor contract.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses to Picket Allina WestHealth Over Contract  »