ST. PAUL (June 21, 2010) – In a historic stand for patient safety, 84 percent of Twin Cities nurses voted Monday to authorize an open-ended strike against 14 hospitals if a contract agreement cannot be reached.
“This is a vote we never wanted to take,” said Linda Hamilton, a Registered Nurse at Children’s Hospital and President of the Minnesota Nurses Association. “The hospitals forced us to this point by adamantly refusing to address even a single proposal related to patient safety over the past three months of negotiations. But Minnesota nurses will do whatever it takes to protect our patients. We have been and will continue to be united for our patients and safe staffing levels.”
MNA leaders told the hospitals late last week that they will not issue a formal strike notice as long as productive negotiations are continuing.
“We’re ready to get back to the table first thing in the morning and meet with the hospitals,” Hamilton said. “Our goal has never been to strike – not even for one day. Tonight’s vote was the strongest possible statement we could send to the hospitals regarding our unwavering commitment to our patients and our profession.”
On May 19, more than 90 percent of Twin Cities nurses voted to authorize a one-day strike for patient safety, which occurred on June 10th. More than 12,000 Twin Cities nurses and 14 hospitals have been unable to reach a new labor contract agreement since negotiations began in March.