Hello fellow RNs-
Today was very interesting at the bargaining table. We were again greeted with coffee and bagels from our co-workers at St. Joes, thanks again for all of your support.
Today we put a proposal on the table that we thought expressed the concerns of our fellow RNs and sent a message to the employer that we are putting patient care first. We proposed that the employer accept our staffing proposal, our infectious disease proposal, our education proposal, and our proposal on technology. In exchange for this acceptance we proposed to drop several of our proposals in exchange for some of their proposals being dropped. The employer then seemed to get agitated that we are not willing to just drop our proposals. They don’t seem to understand that we are here not just for our profession, but first and foremost, for our patients. If we don’t improve staffing now, when will we? How many more of our backs need to get thrown out, or shoulders injured, or negative patient outcomes have to happen before they will recognize there is a problem with staffing?
HealthEast still refuses to make a counter proposal to our staffing proposal. They said there is nothing in the union’s proposal that works for them.
HealthEast came in this afternoon and unconditionally dropped several of their takeaways, their attacks on our contract. Although this is a positive move, it’s not like they actually gave anything up. You can’t give something back to us that is rightfully ours. We paid for these things already in the past. It’s like they came into our house, stole our furniture, and now they want to sell it back to us. How dumb do they think we are?
We believe the employer made these moves because the RNs are standing strong and united in the facilities. It is with your strength that we will all win.
HealthEast finally put a wage proposal on the table: 0% in the first year, 1% in the second year, and 2% in the third year.
Still on the table from HealthEast are some important items that negatively impact nurses. They are still proposing: no cap on low need days, elimination of MNA 1 and MNA 2 health plans, elimination of the recognition bonus, and benefit eligibility raised to 0.5. We must stand united to beat back this attack on our profession.
Just a reminder to everyone: We will be having our informational picket on Wednesday next week, May 12, at United Hospital in downtown St. Paul from 1:30-5:00. It’s important everyone show up for a least a little bit because the next day is our last scheduled day of bargaining. Wear Red! MNA t-shirts will be provided if you don’t have one already.
Also, we want everyone to know that there will be an all nurse meeting for HealthEast at our union office – Minnesota Nurses Association, 345 Randolph Ave, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55102. The meetings will to be discuss what proposals look like and to keep nurses informed going into our contract vote on May 19th. The meetings will be at 8am, 1:00P.M. and 4:15 P.M.
Thanks again for all of your support!
In Solidarity
Eir Borgersen, RN