From the MNA Board of Directors
Q. Why are we taking this vote?
A: National Nurses United members are expected to vote to change their dues structure to reduce the dues MNA now pays by 50 percent at their House of Delegates this coming weekend. MNA’s bylaws require an all-member vote and set a very specific process for issues involving dues, which your Board of Directors is complying with. This process can only be changed by the MNA House of Delegates.
Q: How will this affect the dues I pay to MNA?
A: If a majority of members vote in favor of simplifying the dues structure, your total monthly dues will not change. A “yes” vote will create one component – MNA local dues – instead of the current structure of two components (MNA local dues plus NNU per member dues). The simplified structure would then require one calculation and allow NNU per capita dues to be paid from MNA local dues. It would not affect the total dues you pay now. A “no” vote means MNA would be required to reduce the total dues amount equal to the reduction in the NNU dues. For 2018, this would be a $7 per month reduction. Members would pay $60 instead of the current $67.
Q. What will MNA do with the dues we would no longer pay to NNU?
A: We calculate MNA would have approximately $1.6 million for local priorities to build our union power, including:
- Increasing resources that can be used towards achieving safe staffing
- Dedicating additional resources to the strike fund
- Expanding member resources related to the defense of nurses’ legal and contractual rights whether through arbitration or administrative process
- Establishing a member release time budget for nurses interested in helping build the union by participating in various union activities, including contract, organizing, legislative, and electoral, which would allow them to do so without being economically impacted
- Strengthening the MNA education program by hiring a dedicated nurse educator to provide members with access to free certification courses such as BLS, PALS and ACLS.
The date to submit absentee ballots has passed, but If you didn’t vote by absentee ballot, you can vote in person during the MNA Convention and House of Delegates October 6-8.
It’s at the Radisson Blu in Minneapolis, 35 S 7th St. Voting hours are:
- Saturday, October 6: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, October 7: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 8: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
MNA will reimburse for parking fees up to $10 if you vote in person.
Results will be announced on October 10.
A YES vote means that MNA could invest more locally while keeping total dues the same.
A NO vote means maintaining the current total dues structure.
Visit www.mnnurses.org/dues or contact the MNA office for more information.