MNA Nurses File Notice to Picket Allina District One Hospital

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Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
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(St. Paul) – February 4, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have alerted Allina Health of the intent to hold an informational picket in Faribault near District One Hospital on Friday, February 12.

MNA nurses have been negotiating a new contract with Allina for months, but productive talks have deteriorated over safety and staffing issues. While Allina has agreed to match wages with a nearby hospital, management has refused to improve staffing measures, add health and safety protections, or match compensation for calling nurses in during short-staffing crises. Nurses regularly pick up extra shifts beyond their normal schedule to cover holes the hospital cannot fill due to an inability to hire and retain skilled nurses.

“We are constantly being asked to give more and more with less. Eventually, we will have no more to give,” said Wendy Becker, a Registered Nurse at District One. “Management has been unwilling to come to an agreement that will ensure a safe environment and give us the tools we need to safely care for our patients.”

When:      Friday, February 12, 1-5 p.m.
Where:     Division St East & 1st Ave NE, Faribault, MN 55021
Who:         Nurses of Allina Health District One
What:       Informational Picket
Why:         To demand safety measures for patient care from District One Hospital

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*Note:  The program will take place outside, where nurses and attendees will practice 6 feet of social distancing. Additionally, for reporters who are uncomfortable attending the event in person or who are themselves practicing self-quarantine measures, the event will be streaming here: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaNurses/live