Politics (Page 29)

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MNA President Linda Hamilton opened up her home and hosted a special health care discussion on March 23 with Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius, Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum and others to talk about the Affordable Care Act and its positive impact in the lives of Minnesota women and their families.

Use the links below to view photos from and read news stories about this amazing event:

In addition, here’s a quick video roundup of some local TV news coverage:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/gaYbPeXkiXs]

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In: Politics, Right to Work

MNA Legislative Update, March 23, 2012

Today is the second legislative deadline of the session, which means that bills that haven’t passed out of committee by today are effectively dead. March 30 is the third deadline, by which all finance and appropriation bills have to pass the committee process. Because this session’s deadlines are looming, action at the Capitol has been fast and frequent this week.

Right to Work

Since passing the Senate Judiciary Committee by one vote last week, the so-called Right to Work amendment has stalled. It is because of your efforts that attempts by Right to Work supporters to get the bill heard on the House and Senate floors both failed again this week.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, March 23, 2012  »

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Right to Work

The so-called “Right to Work” amendment was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Over 1,600 union members turned out to watch the hearing and voice their opposition to this unfair, unsafe and unnecessary legislation. Capitol officials reported that this was the largest turnout for a committee hearing in state history.  Abbott Northwestern Hospital Nurse Ursula Tuttle testified before the committee. You can watch Ursula’s testimony here at the 8:35 mark.

After nearly four hours of testimony and debate committee passed the “Right to Work” amendment 7-6. In the end, one Republican joined five DFLers in opposing the amendment, with the other 7 Republicans voting for Right to Work.
… Read more about: Legislative Update March 16, 2012  »

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I could not have a stronger opinion about this issue.

I am an RN and I just returned to MN after working for 4 years in Texas -a “right to work” state.

I have never in my ENTIRE nursing career felt so powerless to protect my patients. We all worked grueling hours, had grossly inadequate numbers of staff, and absolutely no support network.

It was made clear by non-medical management that we were to do the job and not complain. The message was clear:” You are not valued as an employee and we don’t care about the patient’s welfare.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right-to-Work: Michelle Donovan  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Nurses, Politics, Right to Work

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

 

I urge you Senator Vandeveer to vote No on the right to work issue.

I have been a RN for almost 20 years and have been supported by my union for as many years.  I also have family and friends who are nurses in southern states and I hear on a daily basis their horror stories.  Unrealistic patient work loads, no support staff, monthly turnover and constantly living under the threat of losing their license if something goes wrong. 
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right-to-Work: Selena Running  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Nurses, Politics, Uncategorized

“Right to Work” is Wrong for Minnesota!
·       Right to Work legislation is unnecessary: it doesn’t actually create any jobs. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average and lower than in Right to Work states. Nurses in Minnesota earn an average of $16,000 more than those in Right to Work states.
·       Right to Work is unfair. It would force dues paying union members to pay for the representation of coworkers that don’t pay anything.
·       Right to work is unsafe: Having a strong, collective voice allows nurses to advocate for safe staffing, safe patient care, and safe working conditions.
… Read more about: Call Your Senator Today to Oppose Right-to-Work  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

I am writing you to request that you vote “Nay” on the “Right to Work” legislative bill that is currently being reviewed by the Judiciary Committee.  Minnesota currently has some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. If this bill passes, I can see multiple “layoffs” and firing of workers. This will impact our unemployment rate NEGATIVELY at a time when the GOP is concerned about “jobs, jobs and jobs.”

As a nurse, I can also foresee this bill endangering public safety because it will make it harder for us to advocate for things like better nurse staffing and shorter response times by public servants (like police and firefighters).
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right to Work: Carolyn Jorgenson  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

I have always enjoyed being in a state that does not penalize workers to make the corporations wealthier. Over the last 20 years our wages have been stagnant while the CEOs and corporations sit on more and more money. Right to Work legislation puts us in the same camp as Mississippi and I for one am appalled. Children in right to work states have higher poverty.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right To Work: Kathy Westlie  »