HealthEast HomeCare Nurses Visit D.C., Advocate for MNA (Page 134)

To all MNA nurses,

The NNU just had their first National Conference in Washington DC, May 9-12th.  Two other HealthEast Home Care nurses, as well as myself were privileged enough to be able to attend.  Support for the MNA was prevalent, as there were many nurses from many states, cheering and showing their support for MNA.  Linda Hamilton, President of MNA gave a rousing speech about your current contract negotiations.  It was amazing to hear that the same things they are fighting for, are the same things we, at HealthEast, are fighting for as well.  California has already implemented ratios, and the results have been amazing!  The biggest proof that ratios are making a difference is a decrease in mortality by 10%.  Saving lives is priceless!!  Not to mention, increased patient satisfaction, and nurse retention!

We were able to listen to nurses from other states and hear all their struggles, as well as their successes.  We also heard from Richard Trumka, President and AFL-CIO, Hilda Solis, U.S Secretary of Labor, Helen Thomas, Washington DC journalist, and Barbara Boxer, U.S Senator, Congressman Keith Ellison to name a few.  All of these people supported the nurse’s fight for safer nursing!  My favorite was Al Franken, our own U.S Senator.  He spoke at Capitol Hill on May 12, the same day you were out on the streets for the informational picket.  Your fight was the first thing he mentioned on the lawn of the Nations US capitol, in front of hundreds of NNU nurses from all the states. The support for MNA nurses is not just your fight, but all nurses in the nation.  I want to make sure you all are aware that you have thousands and thousands of nurses that are cheering you on!

We were given red NNU scrubs to wear for the rally.  I cannot tell you how many people on the streets would stop us and ask us about our cause.  I was stopped in the House Office Building, Union Station, the Simthosian, and the airport to name a few. Every time we explained our cause, safer patient care, we received the same positive comments and support.  On the plane home last night, I sat next to a gentleman that also wanted to hear our cause.  Mind you this was about midnight, but he told me that where he lives, in Plymouth, our signs are all over his neighborhood.  All of our patients support our cause.

You go brothers and sisters!

Sincerely,

Your new MNA sisters, HealthEast Home Care Nurses

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Politics

To all MNA nurses,

The NNU just had their first National Conference in Washington DC, May 9-12th.  Two other HealthEast Home Care nurses, as well as myself were privileged enough to be able to attend.  Support for the MNA was prevalent, as there were many nurses from many states, cheering and showing their support for MNA.  Linda Hamilton, President of MNA gave a rousing speech about your current contract negotiations.  It was amazing to hear that the same things they are fighting for, are the same things we, at HealthEast, are fighting for as well.  California has already implemented ratios, and the results have been amazing!  
… Read more about: HealthEast HomeCare Nurses Visit D.C., Advocate for MNA  »

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In: Bargaining

The pension bargaining committee met today with the Hospital Representatives. A Federal Mediator was present. The MNA Pension Committee members  discussed the proposal the Hospital submitted via email on May 3rd, 2010. Your Pension Bargaining Committee presented the Hospitals a counter proposal. The Hospitals continue to demand draconian cuts to your pension benefits, stating their intent is to reduce their costs.

The Hospitals would rather spend time and money on scabs than maintaining your current pension benefits.  They are willing to spend $$$ – just not on you. Your Pension Committee is  recommending that Twin City Nurses vote to reject the Hospitals proposal and authorize a strike.
… Read more about: Pension Bargaining Update (May 14)  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining

A special THANK YOU from Minnesota Nurses to all the amazing supporters from our community who walked with us during our May 12 informational picketing! (And if we omitted anyone please forgive us and add yourself in the comments!)

ELECTED OFFICIALS/CANDIDATES
Senator Scott Dibble
Senator Ken Kelash
Senator Paul Koering
Senator Ron Latz
Senator Sandy Rummel
Representative Erin Murphy
Representative Paul Thissen
St Paul City Council Member Dave Thune
Congressional Candidate Dan Powers
Congressional Candidate Jim Meffert
Office of Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega

UNIONS
AFSCME Council 5
Duluth Central Labor Council and President Dan O’Neill
Education Minnesota and Vice President Paul Mueller
International Association of Machinists
Laborer’s Local 563
Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation
Minnesota AFL-CIO and President Shar Knutson
Minnesota AFL-CIO Retiree Council
NALC branch 9
Northeast Area Labor Council and President Alan Netland
Operating Engineers Local 49
Painters and Allied Trades
Pipe Trades
Plumbers
Postal Workers
Teamsters Local 320
SEIU Local 26
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota
Sheet Metal Workers
St.
… Read more about: Solidarity!  »

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In: Bargaining

We started negotiations this week like we did every other week – ready to talk about staffing.  And, like every other week, management refused to negotiate about our most important issue.  We expressed concern that management had a goal for falls in 2009 of 218 (there were actually 249 falls that year).  We know that it is nearly impossible to prevent every fall.  But, as the spouse of one of our team members, who has been a safety manager for 36 years said, “the ultimate goal should be zero, especially for never events.  If there are more than zero falls, you should be working diligently to work out why and to make it zero.”

Our staffing ratios are important because we will be able to provide better care and help prevent adverse events like falls.  
… Read more about: Park Nicollet Methodist Update (May 13)  »

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In: Bargaining

From the MNA Children’s Bargaining Team:

Today thirty-five years of negotiations history came down to twelve minutes with the employer.  Today many of our Nurses came to tell their stories and show their support for our Care managers and our staffing proposal.  The employer finally arrived at 11:40 after all the nurses had left (perhaps management was aware of their presence and delayed their arrival to avoid the nurses?)  The employer’s last concessionary (take-back) offer, which is unchanged from last week, is what they want us to vote on.

The employer has been unwilling to engage in any meaningful dialogue about any of the proposals that we have brought to the table. 
… Read more about: Children’s Bargaining Update (May 13)  »