FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org
Lauren Nielsen
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org
Nurses have called off their planned picket, and will not file unfair labor practice charges against Sanford Health pending contract ratification by members
(Bemidji) – March 9, 2023 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center today announced that they have reached a tentative agreement with Sanford Health on a new three-year contract. Nurses have called off the informational picket they had planned for Monday, March 13, 2023, and will not file unfair labor practice charges against Sanford Health pending contract ratification by nurses.
The tentative agreement won by nurses successfully fought off concessions which had been sought by Sanford Health and includes fair pay increases, better accrual of paid time off, and stronger language to protect the union and nurses’ contract in case of a change in ownership; this latter clause is especially important as Sanford Health continues to pursue merger with M Health Fairview. Together, the language won by nurses in the new tentative agreement will help to help retain nurses and protect patient care at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
A ratification vote on the tentative agreement will be scheduled in the coming days. Nurse negotiation team members are recommending members vote yes to approve the new three-year contract.
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A big thanks to the negotiating team. How many lawyers did Sanford have at the negotiation table? Isn’t it ironic that nurses have to fight for quality patient care!