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:
Hello,
I am a resident of the district you represent, and I am asking for your help in defeating this “Right to Work” bill. This is a deceptive bill, and will only worsen the situation for many hard working Minnesota families. This bill will drive down wages, eliminate benefits, increase unemployment and effectively eliminate the chance to collectively bargain with corporate Minnesota.
I realize that there is support for this bill out there, and I suspect it originates from the entities that will most benefit…that would be the corporations that look to exploit the current economic conditions to EXPLOIT hard working Minnesotans. I am a registered nurse, and I participated in the strike in 2010. I am sure that you are aware that as part of the collective bargaining process, the hospitals promised to work with us to assure safe staffing for our patients, in return for us accepting only 3% raises over 3 years, and no improvements in our benefit package whatsoever. I am here to tell you, the hospitals have stalled us ever since we settled that contract. Our patients are in danger due to staffing levels, and that has not changed. Imagine what kind of care our patients will get if the hospitals can unilaterally staff according to their profit margins? Would you like to be a patient under those circumstances? Take away the right to collectively bargain and you undermine the ability of nurses, fire fighters, police officers, teachers and many other Minnesotans to not only maintain their own work conditions but to maintain a safe environment for all Minnesotans.
Sincerely,
Theresa Swehla, RN
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.
Today Senator Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville), the author of the so-called “Right to Work” bill, took the unusual step of moving his bill from the Jobs Committee (where it had stalled and possibly didn’t have enough votes to pass) to the Judiciary Committee. As you know, “Right to Work” is a deceptive bill aimed at weakening unions and taking away workers’ voices in their worksites. It is unsafe, unnecessary and unfair:
… Read more about: Right To Work: MNA Member Alert – Please Share! »
MNA nurses remain firm in the belief that National Nurse Licensure is NOT the answer for Minnesota.
Last Friday you received an email notifying you about the hearing on the National Nurse Licensure Compact (SF230
… Read more about: Breaking News on Important Legislative Issue: National Nurse Licensure Compact », also known as the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact) scheduled for today in the Minnesota Senate. We have gotten more specific information on the timing of the hearing: the Compact will be last on the agenda for the hearing, and we have been told by Health and Human Services Committee staff to expect the compact to come up sometime between 5:00 and 6:30 pm tonight. Schedules at the Legislature are very fluid and things may change, so we can’t give you an exact start time, but we believe that if you arrive by 6:00 pm you will be there in time to hear the discussion.
MNA Nurses Day on the Hill
Nurses from every corner of the state came together on Monday and Tuesday to learn more about legislation at the Capitol that will affect nurses and patients, and to talk to their elected officials enacting policies based on nursing values. Nurses focused on:
Armed with new – and disturbing – evidence gathered from the front lines of hospitals across the state, Minnesota nurses introduced legislation today aimed at addressing patient safety through adequate staffing levels.
Bemidji RN Sandra K. Nye wrote an amazing essay – published in her area newspaper – recently on safe staffing levels. Please take a few minutes to read and consider what Sandra points out:
There is an alarming pattern of increased adverse events occurring in hospitals throughout the U.S., which includes medication errors, unnecessary deaths, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections.
A direct relationship exists between the quality of nursing care and amount of time a Registered Nurse spends with each patient. These events are preventable by simply increasing RN numbers each shift. Nurses are the greatest defense for patient safety, so it is vital that safe RN staffing becomes a priority in hospital policy and budget.
… Read more about: RN Essay: The Numbers Don’t Lie – Safe Staffing Saves Lives »
It is critical to separate fact from fiction when evaluating the so-called “Right to Work” constitutional amendment being proposed during the 2012 legislative session.
Here’s a great illustration of how the amendment could negatively impact Minnesota nurses’ salaries. Take a look:
… Read more about: Right to Work and RN Salaries »
MNA Legislative Update February 17, 2012
Right to Work
“Right to Work” constitutional amendments that would weaken unions and undermine workers’ rights have been introduced at the Capitol. These bills are unnecessary, unsafe and unfair. They will not create jobs and will not help our economy. They will make all of our families unsafe if professionals like nurses, firefighters and police officers have their voices silenced in the workplace. Minnesota has the third highest quality of life in the United States. We have a far lower rate of unemployment than the national average. States that already have Right to Work laws have lower qualities of life and higher unemployment than states with strong collective bargaining rights.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, Feb. 17, 2012 »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: John Nemo, 651-414-2863
ST. PAUL (February 15, 2012) – As Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton delivered his State of the State speech Wednesday, the leader of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) echoed her organization’s support for the Governor’s top priorities – jobs, education and reform.
“What our friends, neighbors and patients do need are good-paying jobs, access to affordable healthcare and great education for our children,” said MNA President Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN. “What they don’t need is a slew of divisive constitutional amendments that do nothing to address the core needs of Minnesotans across the state.
… Read more about: MNA Statement on Gov. Dayton’s State of the State »