MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org
Lauren Nielsen
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org
Among nurse demands is language to ensure union protections and agreements remain in place in the case of a merger like the one being sought between Sanford and M Health Fairview
(Bemidji) – March 6, 2023 – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center today announced their intent to picket on Monday, March 13, 2023, as negotiations continue over a new three-year contract. Nurses are seeking a fair contract to help retain nurses in the community to protect patient care at the hospital.
“Nurses are seeking a fair contract so we can continue to do the jobs we love, providing exceptional care to our patients,” said Jessica Mistic, RN, MNA Chair at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. “If Sanford executives cannot agree to a fair contract to retain nurses, we are ready to fight to protect care for our patients and our community.”
In negotiations with Sanford Health, executives have demanded concessions including changes to paid time off for nurses. Nurses and hospital executives also remain apart on fair pay increases which will help to retain nurses in the community. Sanford Health executives have also committed unfair labor practices in negotiations with MNA nurses.
Sanford Bemidji nurses are also seeking to secure successor language in their new contract, which would guarantee recognition of their union and their contract in the case of any merger, acquisition, or other change of ownership over the facility. This clause is especially important as Sanford Health continues to pursue a massive merger with M Health Fairview that could negatively impact healthcare workers, patients and communities in Minnesota.
This informational picket is not a work stoppage; nurses will not be walking off the job to participate in the picket and hospital operations will not be affected by the action.
BEMIDJI NURSES HOLD INFORMATIONAL PICKET
- When: Monday, March 13, 2023, 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Paul Bunyan Park, 300 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601
- Who: MNA Nurses at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
- What: Informational picket as nurses negotiate a new contract
- Why: To call on Sanford executives to settle a fair contract to retain nurses, protect patient care
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