Duluth Bargaining Update (June 22) (Page 125)

From the St. Luke’s bargaining committee: In our fifth bargaining session with management of St. Luke’s hospital, we had a detailed discussion about the implementation of our nurse-to-patient ratios which research has proven to is better for patient outcomes. Management asked clarifying questions and listened to our explanations. Nothing has come back from management across the table regarding safe patient care.  We expect to make major progress in our next meeting and we continue to take steps towards this, yet are prepared to show how serious we are in our commitment for safe patient care.

From Kate Donovan RN 7W: “Today was our fifth bargaining session. If the hospital stonewalls or does not actively progress toward what we need in our contract for safe patient care we need to take our next steps. Every RN at St. Luke’s needs to be ready to take the next steps if there is no progress. We are stronger together than alone. We need to stand together and support each other on this journey to get the contract we need. It is up to us as RN’s whether or not we will continue to fight shift to shift for the nurses we need or settle a contract that will give us the nurses our patients need.”

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From the St. Luke’s bargaining committee: In our fifth bargaining session with management of St. Luke’s hospital, we had a detailed discussion about the implementation of our nurse-to-patient ratios which research has proven to is better for patient outcomes. Management asked clarifying questions and listened to our explanations. Nothing has come back from management across the table regarding safe patient care.  We expect to make major progress in our next meeting and we continue to take steps towards this, yet are prepared to show how serious we are in our commitment for safe patient care.

From Kate Donovan RN 7W: “Today was our fifth bargaining session.
… Read more about: Duluth Bargaining Update (June 22)  »

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Updated press release on June 21 strike vote with detailed voting statistics: https://mnnurses.org/june-21-strike-vote-results

MNA Statement on both sides agreeing to meet with a Federal Mediator on Thursday:
“Our nurses look forward to returning to the bargaining table Thursday and are hopeful we can engage in meaningful negotiations with the Twin Cities Hospitals. As we stated prior to this week’s strike vote, we have given our unilateral commitment that we will not give a strike notice as long as productive negotiations are continuing.”
… Read more about: MNA Updated Press Release and Statement (June 22)  »

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… Read more about: BREAKING NEWS: Twin Cities Nurses Vote Resoundingly to Authorize Open-Ended Strike  »
ST. PAUL (June 21, 2010) – In a historic stand for patient safety, 84 percent of Twin Cities nurses voted Monday to authorize an open-ended strike against 14 hospitals if a contract agreement cannot be reached.

“This is a vote we never wanted to take,” said Linda Hamilton, a Registered Nurse at Children’s Hospital and President of the Minnesota Nurses Association. “The hospitals forced us to this point by adamantly refusing to address even a single proposal related to patient safety over the past three months of negotiations. But Minnesota nurses will do whatever it takes to protect our patients. We have been and will continue to be united for our patients and safe staffing levels.”

MNA leaders told the hospitals late last week that they will not issue a formal strike notice as long as productive negotiations are continuing.