MNA Legislative Update – May 11, 2012
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.
Albert Lea RNs “Walk and Talk” in the community to advocate for safe patients, fair contracts
[youtube=http://youtu.be/CnP0LOypaK0]
Albert Lea’s MNA RNs took to the streets yesterday to talk about negotiating a fair contract that keeps community nurses in the community.
Great job Albert Lea RNs! Nearly 1/3 of the bargaining unit participated in yesterday’s action, which was also picked up by local media outlets as well. Way to stand up, nurses, for your patients and your profession!
TV News Coverage
[youtube=http://youtu.be/ak-SNtu29o0]
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Regional Action Councils: Get Involved!
Regional Action Councils – Nurses mobilizing around policy and politics
As you’ve followed the action during this legislative session and campaign season have you wondered how you can get involved on behalf of nurses and patients?
Nurses are forming six Regional Action Councils around the state to mobilize around policies and candidates that are good for nurses, patients and working families. The RACs will soon begin screening and accountability process for candidates seeking MNA’s endorsement. It is critical that nurses take advocacy beyond the bedside, and weigh in on the policies that affect our practice and patients.
If you are interested in learning more about the Regional Action Council for your area, please contact:
- Grant Bendix (NW and NE Minnesota): grant.bendix@mnnurses.org or 651-414-2830
- Geri Katz (W Metro and E Metro): geri.katz@mnnurses.org or 651-414-2855
- Julia Donnelly (SW and SE Minnesota): Julia.donnelly@mnnurses.org or 651-414-2833
Thanks!
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Fairview Southdale RNs Stand Strong For Patient Safety, Safe Staffing Levels
The nurses were outstanding and spent two hours in each of the first two sessions and just over an hour in the third telling management that there are systems issues that need fixing, that they are needing to do more and more as other departments get cut, that they are no longer able to say they are proud of the care they are able to give, etc.
MNA President Linda Hamilton Wins “2011 Labor Leader Award”
MNA President Linda Hamilton was honored this week, winning the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation’s 2011 Labor Leader Award. The award is “in appreciation of tireless efforts and experienced leadership that has greatly benefitted the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation.” It is the first year the award has been given out.
“Everyone in this room knows the success the nurses have had in raising the public’s awareness of the need to address unsafe staffing levels in our hospitals,” said SPRLF President Bobby Kasper. “The MNA made safe staffing a focus of their contract campaign two years ago, and they continue to fight for their members at the Capitol, where everybody knows the MNA means business!
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Video: Arrested NNU RN Speaks to Keith Olbermann
National Nurses United’s Midwest Director and RN Jan Rodolfo appeared on Keith Olbermann’s show last night to talk about the Occupy Chicago arrests.
Public supports Nurses, Main Street in fight to Tax Wall Street Greed
Learn more about the Main Street Contract and the effort to Tax Wall Street that is being led by National Nurses United.
MNA RNs take to the streets of St. Paul and demand “Tax Wall Street!”
In case you missed it LIVE last week online, here’s video of hundreds of MNA RNs on the streets of downtown St. Paul demanding a Tax on Wall Street. The public reaction/support was amazing!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/xNaYeuENNwo]
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MNA Convention: Watch LIVE!
Can’t make it to MNA Convention on Oct. 16-18th here in St. Paul? No problem! Just tune in online to watch much of Convention right from your computer! You can also watch MNA Convention LIVE from your iPhone or Droid thanks to the MNA App!
Here’s a schedule of events we’ll be streaming LIVE online (all times are Central):
- October 16, 2011: David Feinwachs: “HMOs and Taxpayers – The $3 Billion Question” Presentation, 3:00 p.m.
- October 17, 2011: Opening Address featuring Gov.