MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact:
Sam Fettig, 612-741-0662 or Sam.Fettig@mnnurses.org
Chris Shields, 612-839-9359 or cshields@mnaflcio.org
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On Thursday, April 11, 2024, healthcare workers and patient advocates from Minnesota AFL-CIO member unions will join together at the Minnesota State Capitol to push for passage of the HEAL (Healthcare Employee Anti-Retaliation and Labor) Act (H.F. 4200 / S.F. 4444), a bill that would provide critical protections for workers when they speak up as the last line of defense for safe patient care in our hospitals and other care settings. When workers fear that speaking up will lead to discipline, patient care suffers, and more workers leave the bedside. While data shows there are more than enough direct care staff in Minnesota to fill open jobs, unsafe conditions and unresponsive or hostile management push these workers out of the field. Meanwhile, patient falls, bedsores and preventable deaths continue to increase; by more than 500 percent in Minnesota hospitals in the past ten years. Workers need to be protected when they speak up on the job so patients can feel safe when they seek care in our hospitals. Workers and representatives from the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 5, AFSCME Council 65, Education Minnesota (EdMN) and more will join the gathering this Thursday. Speakers will hold a brief press conference on the importance of this bill for safe patient care and will demonstrate outside legislative chambers. Details are included below. WORKERS SILENCED, PATIENTS SUFFER
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