MNA Blog (Page 69)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

Nurses at Regina Medical Center in Hastings are a determined bunch, and they want parity. For now, they’ll take answers.  About 30 of them attended the latest round of bargaining talks to meet with management and make a statement that they support their negotiating team.

One hitch:  management heard that nurses wanted to attend, and their bargaining team stayed in their caucus room rather than come out and meet them.  The employer, forgot, however, that their caucus room has a window to the sidewalk.  So, nurses tracked down their meeting room and made their statement through the window to force the employer’s negotiators to turn around and see them.
… Read more about: Hastings nurses not waiting for answers  »

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In: Minnesota Nurses Association

Nurses in Thief River Falls spent Halloween afternoon telling the boss to stop playing tricks with people’s lives.  Sanford Health recently announced it would implement monstrous cuts in its insurance package, forcing nurses to pay double what they’re currently expending  for premiums and co-pays.

The changes are simply devastating to working families.  “We’re on the street and hope this action will make Sanford management decide to listen to us, our families and every employee of this hospital,” said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Tiffany Eidelbes.

Nurses were joined on an informational picket line by MNA nurses from Bagley, Bemidji and the  Twin Cities, along with other staff members from the hospital. 
… Read more about: Nurses show Thief River Falls Sanford benefits are scary  »

On:
In: Activism, Labor Unions, Legislative Policy, Minnesota Nurses Association, National Nurses United, Nurses, Nursing

Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association gathered in St. Paul Oct. 13 – 16 to set the wheels in motion of another eventful year ahead.   Gathering for the 108th time in the history of the organization, nurses made noteworthy operational changes; attended provocative education sessions; shared experiences during networking opportunities and took time to honor the achievements of colleagues who have made significant contributions to nursing and MNA.

“Our journey ahead will result in the advancement of our nursing profession through the solidarity of bedside nurses,” declared MNA President Linda Hamilton as she welcomed the elected leaders during opening ceremonies of the House of Delegates.
… Read more about: Staff Nurses Unite at MNA’s 108th Annual Convention  »

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In: Bargaining, Health Care Reform, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

On Thursday, October 17, MNA nurses are taking their concerns directly to management at Sanford hospitals.  At Bagley, nurses are concerned they’re being asked to cover more patient assignments for each nurse and doctor.  At Thief River Falls, nurses are concerned their own health insurance benefits are being cut.  In Bemidji, nurses are concerned that untrained staff are monitoring patients on telemetry.
… Read more about: Video: Thief River Falls petition to Sanford HR  »

On:
In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Patient Safety Standards, Unsafe Staffing

On Thursday, October 17, MNA nurses are taking their concerns directly to management at Sanford hospitals.  At Bagley, nurses are concerned they’re being asked to cover more patient assignments for each nurse and doctor.  At Thief River Falls, nurses are concerned their own health insurance benefits are being cut.  In Bemidji, nurses are concerned that untrained staff are monitoring patients on telemetry equipment.
… Read more about: Bagley nurses deliver message to hospital management  »

On:
In: Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses

Coming to the 109th Nurses Convention?  Grab a great deal at the Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation Silent Auction.  The 6th annual silent auction to benefit the MNAF includes original art, theater tickets, hotel stays, skin treatments, haircuts, and concert passes.
All of the money generated from the silent auction goes to the grants and scholarships awarded to nurses studying important health and wellness issues facing Minnesotans. In 2013, the MNAF awarded $91,000.00 total to 37 recipients.

Here are some items:

Hosko print

Signed, limited-edition pen and ink illustration by Bill Hosko of the Hoskogallery
… Read more about: Auction to benefit MNAF  »

On:
In: Activism, Bargaining, Nurses

KinnicnursesMNA nurses had gone through three negotiation sessions with Grace, the latest owners of the Kinnic Nursing Home in River Falls, Wisconsin.  They last left the table with management trying to take away family leave language, leave of absence days,  to radically limit time for jury duty, and even reduce days off for the death of a child or spouse.

MNA nurses looked like they were headed toward mediation to get a new contract, but then they started showing that nurses were standing together.   Bobbi Spence, and Suzanne Kitzmann, LPNs and bargaining unit leaders, started handing out red wristbands to their fellow union members.. 
… Read more about: Even a small unit can have a big effect  »