Labor Unions (Page 37)

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The last scheduled pension bargaining session was held on March 17 between MNA and employer representatives. A Federal Mediator also was present.

MNA nurses presented a modified proposal, but the employers had NO comment. Instead, the employers wanted to restate their position, numerous times, on how much the pension costs. Actual words used by the employer were: “It’s all about the money.”

There are no future dates set at this time for pension bargaining.
… Read more about: 2010 Pension: March 17 Update  »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12,000 MN Nurses Begin Labor Contract Negotiations

Key issues include pension, staffing levels as talks between nurses and Twin Cities hospital systems begin.

Media Contact: John Nemo, 651-414-2863 or john.nemo@mnnurses.org

ST. PAUL (March 16, 2010) – Saying their 12,000 members are committed to standing united in the coming months, Minnesota nurses formally began labor contract negotiations with six Twin Cities hospital systems on Tuesday.

“The safety and quality of care for our patients is on the line,” said Minnesota Nurses Association President Linda Hamilton, who works as a registered nurse in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.
… Read more about: 2010 Bargaining Officially Begins!  »

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Today marks the official start to formal employment contract negotiations between 12,000 Minnesota Nurses and six Twin Cities hospital systems. Below is an overview of the key issues and some facts and statistics.

ISSUE SUMMARY

  • More than 12,000 Minnesota Nurses formally began labor contract negotiations with six Twin Cities hospital systems (North Memorial, HealthEast, Allina, Methodist, Children’s and Fairview) on March 16, 2010.
  • Key issues during the negotiations include nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and the hospitals’ desire to slash the nurses’ long-standing pension plan benefits by one-third.

KEY DATES

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All About the Money
The Employers overarching principle is this: They want to cut your pension.

Some Effects of Employers Pension proposals:
— You will earn a lower pension benefit for any work after 1-1-2011….GUARANTEED

— You will only earn credits to your pension benefit if you work in a .5 or greater position.

— Pension benefits will be cut for every nurse whether you take a normal retirement, early retirement, or disability retirement.

All proposals have been shared. We will be meeting with the Federal Mediator for the next bargaining session on March 17th, 2010.
… Read more about: Pension Bargaining – March 10 Update  »

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Employers Propose Major Reductions
Our pension plan is the envy of registered nurses around the country. It is a benefit that we negotiated years ago and have worked hard to protect. Many of us have worked for years in our hospitals, providing quality patient care every day, and deserve a pension that will allow us to retire when we are ready.

Pension bargaining with our employers got under way on Friday, March 5. We proposed moderate improvements to our pension. Our employers, on the other hand, proposed three major reductions in pension benefits.

Our Proposals

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Nurses, Politics

As MNA President Linda Hamilton said so eloquently (and accurately) in the video above, “Nurses are in the House!” More than 900 RNs and nursing students gathered at the State Capitol yesterday, and our voices were heard loud and clear by dozens of Minnesota legislators and leaders, including Attorney General Lori Swanson and others. Swanson was among those who spoke at a standing-room-only noontime rally in the Capitol Rotunda, and throughout the day hundreds of nurses met with their legislators and representatives to advocate for patient safety, restoring the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program and other important issues. Special tanks to all of you who showed up and spoke up on behalf of RNs and patients!
… Read more about: Minnesota Nurses Day on the Hill 2010 Recap  »