Legislative Update March 16, 2012 (Page 107)

Right to Work

The so-called “Right to Work” amendment was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Over 1,600 union members turned out to watch the hearing and voice their opposition to this unfair, unsafe and unnecessary legislation. Capitol officials reported that this was the largest turnout for a committee hearing in state history.  Abbott Northwestern Hospital Nurse Ursula Tuttle testified before the committee. You can watch Ursula’s testimony here at the 8:35 mark.

After nearly four hours of testimony and debate committee passed the “Right to Work” amendment 7-6. In the end, one Republican joined five DFLers in opposing the amendment, with the other 7 Republicans voting for Right to Work. The next step for the bill is the Senate Rules Committee. If the Rules Committee passes the bill, it would most likely go on to a full vote of the Senate. The bill has not yet been heard in the Minnesota House. It would have to pass a full vote of both the Senate and the House to appear on the November 2012 ballot. (The Governor cannot veto a Constitutional amendment.)

Since Monday’s hearing, nurses have been calling and emailing their legislators nonstop, asking them to vote against this unsafe, unfair, and unnecessary bill. The contacts seem to be working; as of today, the Right to Work bill has not been scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate or a committee hearing in the House. If we can keep up the grassroots action, we can stop this bill. If you haven’t contacted your legislator, use the MNA Grassroots Action Center to send a message today.


RN Criminal Background Check

This week, Senate File 1053, the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s changes to Registered Nurse criminal background checks, was laid on the table in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  MNA provided testimony that raised a lot of questions and concerns about this legislation. The bill is duplicative, costly and relies on a flawed system of fingerprinting by the federal government. Because the bill was laid on the table and not taken back up, it has now missed deadline.  MNA will continue to work with the MBON to find a compromise that continues to protect patient safety while preserving the rights of nurses.

While we oppose this bill, MNA supports Criminal Background Checks as an important and necessary tool to ensure patient safety.  In fact, MNA has introduced a new bill that would improve patient safety while protecting the rights of nurses and improving the accuracy of criminal background checks.


National Nurse Licensure Compact

The Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact passed the Senate Finance and Government Operations committees on partisan votes this week. There will likely be a debate on the Senate floor next week. MNA opposes this bill because it would lower Minnesota’s standards and put patient safety at risk. It would also mean potential job loss for Minnesota nurses and abdicating the state’s right to govern nursing. Stay tuned for updates, and contact your Senator and ask them to vote NO on National Nurse Licensure.


HMO Transparency

On Monday the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard the HMO Transparency bill authored by Senator Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge). HHS Chair David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) made many amendments to the bill that drastically changed its scope, to the point where it probably can’t pass this session. MNA had supported the original bill’s intent of demanding more accountability from the HMOs who receive nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds per year to administer public health care programs.

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Right to Work

The so-called “Right to Work” amendment was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Over 1,600 union members turned out to watch the hearing and voice their opposition to this unfair, unsafe and unnecessary legislation. Capitol officials reported that this was the largest turnout for a committee hearing in state history.  Abbott Northwestern Hospital Nurse Ursula Tuttle testified before the committee. You can watch Ursula’s testimony here at the 8:35 mark.

After nearly four hours of testimony and debate committee passed the “Right to Work” amendment 7-6. In the end, one Republican joined five DFLers in opposing the amendment, with the other 7 Republicans voting for Right to Work.
… Read more about: Legislative Update March 16, 2012  »

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I could not have a stronger opinion about this issue.

I am an RN and I just returned to MN after working for 4 years in Texas -a “right to work” state.

I have never in my ENTIRE nursing career felt so powerless to protect my patients. We all worked grueling hours, had grossly inadequate numbers of staff, and absolutely no support network.

It was made clear by non-medical management that we were to do the job and not complain. The message was clear:” You are not valued as an employee and we don’t care about the patient’s welfare.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right-to-Work: Michelle Donovan  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Nurses, Politics, Right to Work

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

 

I urge you Senator Vandeveer to vote No on the right to work issue.

I have been a RN for almost 20 years and have been supported by my union for as many years.  I also have family and friends who are nurses in southern states and I hear on a daily basis their horror stories.  Unrealistic patient work loads, no support staff, monthly turnover and constantly living under the threat of losing their license if something goes wrong. 
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right-to-Work: Selena Running  »

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“Right to Work” is Wrong for Minnesota!
·       Right to Work legislation is unnecessary: it doesn’t actually create any jobs. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average and lower than in Right to Work states. Nurses in Minnesota earn an average of $16,000 more than those in Right to Work states.
·       Right to Work is unfair. It would force dues paying union members to pay for the representation of coworkers that don’t pay anything.
·       Right to work is unsafe: Having a strong, collective voice allows nurses to advocate for safe staffing, safe patient care, and safe working conditions.
… Read more about: Call Your Senator Today to Oppose Right-to-Work  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

I am writing you to request that you vote “Nay” on the “Right to Work” legislative bill that is currently being reviewed by the Judiciary Committee.  Minnesota currently has some of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. If this bill passes, I can see multiple “layoffs” and firing of workers. This will impact our unemployment rate NEGATIVELY at a time when the GOP is concerned about “jobs, jobs and jobs.”

As a nurse, I can also foresee this bill endangering public safety because it will make it harder for us to advocate for things like better nurse staffing and shorter response times by public servants (like police and firefighters).
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right to Work: Carolyn Jorgenson  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

I have always enjoyed being in a state that does not penalize workers to make the corporations wealthier. Over the last 20 years our wages have been stagnant while the CEOs and corporations sit on more and more money. Right to Work legislation puts us in the same camp as Mississippi and I for one am appalled. Children in right to work states have higher poverty.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out Against Right To Work: Kathy Westlie  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators:

I am writing in opposition to the right to work bill. I would like my voice heard! This bill is totally unnecessary, unfair and furthermost UNSAFE. I am an RN, this amendment would put my patients at risk because it would make it much harder to negotiate and advocate for things like safe staffing.

This amendment will take the power from the workers and put more power into the hands of the CEO’s.
… Read more about: Real RNs Speak Out: Marcia Whitman  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

MNA RNs are weighing in about the devastating impact the so-called “Right to Work” legislation would have on everyday Minnesota families. Here’s just one of the heartfelt letters MNA RNs are sending to their local legislators.