What is this? The MNA Daily NewsScan is a round up the day’s biggest nursing, health care and organized labor stories. As news unfolds in real-time, we update the NewsScan with new links and info, so check back often!

Stories we’re scanning:

Health Care

“Money Hungry” Tactics: The Star Tribune pulls the curtain back even further on Fairview’s decision to use debt collectors in the ER.
Hold Up! New study finds that revenue-driven surgery and poor planning often ends up sending patients home too early.

Labor Updates

SEIU Takes Strike Vote: SEIU Healthcare Minnesota members voted overwhelmingly this week to authorize a 2-5 day strike.

MNA Daily NewsScan, May 15, 2012 – Crow Wing RNs Await Results of Civil Law Suit; Nursing Careers and an Aging Population

On: May 15, 2012

In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

Stories we’re scanning:

Labor

Crow Wing County RNs Expect Decision Today on Civil Lawsuit Regarding Unfair Labor Practices The unions reported the lawsuit is not whether the county’s proposal to tie pay to performance is a good idea. “The county’s idea, like all bargaining proposals, should be negotiated,” the unions stated. “The unions’ lawsuit simply asks the court to find that the county must first negotiate the elimination of the current pay structure and not act on its own.”

Twin Cities Hospital Workers Voting Whether to Strike The workers hold a variety of jobs, including nursing assistants, ER techs and maintenance and food service personnel.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, May 15, 2012 – Crow Wing RNs Await Results of Civil Law Suit; Nursing Careers and an Aging Population »

Upcoming: “We Are One” Labor Union Event on May 17 – RSVP today!

On: May 14, 2012

In: Activism, Labor Unions

The Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation Invite Our Union Sisters and Brothers to Attend Our We Are One Solidarity Event and Labor 2012 Kickoff

During the 2011 – 2012 legislative session, workers were the center of attacks from Minnesota’s Legislative Majority. We narrowly kept the proposed Right to Work constitutional amendment off the ballot. It’s time to celebrate our victory, and talk about what we need to do next so that we’re not fighting Right to Work again in 2013.

Please join us for a BBQ and rally that is being jointly hosted by the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federations.
… Read more about: Upcoming: “We Are One” Labor Union Event on May 17 – RSVP today! »

MNA Daily NewsScan: May 14, 2012 – Moyers and DeMoro, MN RNs in Vietnam, Patient Safety and Alphabet Soup

On: May 14, 2012

In: Activism, Healthcare, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

Stories we’re scanning:

Health Care

Patient Safety and Alphabet Soup: RN talks about advocating for patient safety and taking effective action within a hospital system’s framework of “alphabet soup” committees, etc.

Notes on Nursing

Vietnam and Minnesota RNs: Book “Sisterhood of War” chronicles involvement of Minnesota nurses who served during the Vietnam War.

MNA Legislative Update – May 11, 2012

On: May 11, 2012

In: Activism, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

Session Ends

The House adjourned in the wee hours of Thursday morning, and the Senate followed suit on Thursday afternoon. This session, we saw more involvement from MNA nurses on legislative issues than at any other time in recent MNA history. Everyone who reached out to their elected officials, educated their colleagues about the issues, or came to the Capitol should feel proud. Nurses are a respected and influential force at the Capitol because of all of your work.

MNA Priorities

Right to Work: DEFEATED. The tremendous outpouring of opposition from nurses and fellow union members influenced enough DFL and Republican legislators to stop the Right to Work amendment from making it through the legislative process.