From MNA Bargaining Team Member Lori Christian, RN
Today, we presented our proposals on health insurance, salary, and protecting union work.
Throughout these negotiations, management’s chief spokesman has said repeatedly that there is no analytical data that better nurse to patient ratios improve care. We presented them with a study released this month which shows that “lower ratios are associated with significantly lower mortality…nurses’ burnout and job dissatisfaction were lower, and nurses reported consistently better quality of care.”
We continue to talk about the importance of safe staffing, but our concerns fall on deaf ears.
On March 25, we asked the hospital to provide data so that we could fully respond to and evaluate their proposals. Today, on April 29, we are still waiting for the appropriate data. They have been dilly-dallying with vital information – what are they waiting for?
We also discussed a few of management’s proposals, including their proposal on instituting a probationary period. Management wants to be able to fire a nurse without “just cause” within the first 90 days of employment. We told management that the current system of orientation does not always work properly – it is not consistent, does not provide timely feedback, and does not give new nurses the proper support. Nurses should be mentored in their first months at the hospital, not unjustly terminated.
Just a reminder to all RNs: sign up for informational picketing on May 12th at Fairview Southdale. We need to send a strong message that nurses intend on moving our profession forward and improving patient care.