North Memorial Blog 4/27/2010
On Wednesday, April 21st we had a great turnout for our info picket authorization and sign up. The hospital thought it necessary to employ multiple security and management personnel to kick RNs out of their own hospital and deny us our democratic rights to vote and meet. We still had hundreds of RNs meet and sign up for informational picketing on the sidewalk.
On Tuesday, April 27 we had bargaining session #6, and they dumped the last 6 of their takeaway proposals on the table. They talked about eliminating benefits for 0.4 RNs (including vacation, health insurance, sick leave) and their proposals to eliminate the MNA health insurance plans, 401K match & loyalty bonus.
We talked about keeping the MNA insurance plans and about the hospital leading the way in providing quality health care for RNs & the community.
Every proposal that management dumped on us was all about saving money, despite a reported 44 million dollar profit in 2009. Management also kept telling us we should accept the same takeaways being forced on the “non-contract” staff in the hospital; but we are trying to bargain a contract, not a “non-contract”.
RNs have overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to the employers’ proposals all over the Twin Cities. In meeting after meeting, RNs have told the bargaining teams they will stand against concessions proposed by management. Management refuses to acknowledge that RNs are united against takeaways and maintains that your bargaining team should discuss their concessions while they ignore our proposals.
JOIN WITH 12,000 NURSES AT INFORMATIONAL PICKETS ON MAY 6TH AND MAY 12TH TO LET THE TWIN CITIES HOSPITALS KNOW THAT NURSES WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IN 2010!!