HealthEast Bargaining Update (April 27) (Page 141)

The morning started out with unexpected and pleasant welcome from RNs from St Joe’s, who brought the bargaining team coffee and muffins. Thanks so much to the RNs from Joe’s who showed us their support!

Today in bargaining we engaged management around several proposals. We started out the day listening to a presentation from Management’s financial people. They told us how poor HealthEast is and how much trouble they might be in in ten years. It seemed like the same old song and dance to me. How long has HealthEast been telling us they don’t have money? Kinda reminds me of “The boy who cried wolf.” They then told us they only made $2.9 million dollars in 2009. This begs the question, if this is true: Why did HealthEast CEO Tim Hanson get $1.12 million in salary last year? Why would they continue to build and remodel if they didn’t have money?

HealthEast then went through a series of six proposals. They talked about their proposal that would require RNs to float from hospital to hospital. We asked what the guidelines would be to determine what RN would float to which unit? They said they didn’t know. We asked if they actually had a written proposal to give us so we could analyze it and respond. They said they didn’t have one.

They proposed to eliminate our weekend bonus if we use any vacation or sick time. So, for example, if you got low needed and used your vacation time to supplement your check then you would give up your right to a weekend bonus? This just doesn’t make any sense. Modest Okorie, my fellow bargaining team member said: “Why would I voluntary pick a weekend to come in and work if I’m not going to get a bonus? I could be at home with the kids.”

We asked the employer if they had a wage proposal for us yet? They said they were not prepared to give us one today. If they are able to predict what their financial status is going to be in 10 years, how come they don’t have a wage proposal for us today? We’ve been bargaining for a month and a half now. It is time for HealthEast to come forward with their economic proposal.

One minor highlight was we came to agreement on one proposal that is an antiquated piece of language that both sides felt was no longer relevant.

We then told management that our staffing proposal was very important to all the RNs at HealthEast. We are waiting on a comprehensive response to our staffing proposal from management.

Just a reminder to all RNs, remember to sign up for informational picketing on May 12th at United Hospital in St. Paul. We need to send a strong message that nurses intend on moving our profession forward and improving patient care.

– Eir Borgersen, RN, MNA HealthEast Bargaining Team

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In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions

The morning started out with unexpected and pleasant welcome from RNs from St Joe’s, who brought the bargaining team coffee and muffins. Thanks so much to the RNs from Joe’s who showed us their support!

Today in bargaining we engaged management around several proposals. We started out the day listening to a presentation from Management’s financial people. They told us how poor HealthEast is and how much trouble they might be in in ten years. It seemed like the same old song and dance to me. How long has HealthEast been telling us they don’t have money? Kinda reminds me of “The boy who cried wolf.” They then told us they only made $2.9 million dollars in 2009.
… Read more about: HealthEast Bargaining Update (April 27)  »

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North Memorial Blog 4/27/2010
On Wednesday, April 21st we had a great turnout for our info picket authorization and sign up.  The hospital thought it necessary to employ multiple security and management personnel to kick RNs out of their own hospital and deny us our democratic rights to vote and meet.  We still had hundreds of RNs meet and sign up for informational picketing on the sidewalk.

On Tuesday, April 27 we had bargaining session #6, and they dumped the last 6 of their takeaway proposals on the table.  They talked about eliminating benefits for 0.4 RNs (including vacation, health insurance, sick leave) and their proposals to eliminate the MNA health insurance plans, 401K match & loyalty bonus.
… Read more about: North Memorial Bargaining Update  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses, Nursing

Below is a handout Minnesota Nurses will be sharing with members of the general public on May 6, 2010. That afternoon, thousands of Minnesota Nurses will conduct informational picketing across the Twin Cities to help educate members of the public about what is at stake for patients during the current contract negotiations between 12,000 Minnesota Nurses and six different Twin Cities hospital systems.

Visit the MNA Web site to get all the details on this important day!


… Read more about: Coming May 6: Thousands of Minnesota Nurses take to the streets for patient safety!  »

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In: Bargaining, Hospitals, Labor Unions

From Sydney Pederson, RN, Children’s Hospital St. Paul, who is a member of the MNA Children’s Bargaining Team:

(NOTE: Make sure to visit the Children’s Bargaining Page on the MNA Web site for other updates/etc on Children’s bargaining.

Never before has the employer asked for concessions of this size and scope.  The employer has chosen to pick a fight with Nurses, whose primary focus is providing safe patient care, ensuring the rights of patients and advancing nursing practice.

These negotiations have brought to light there is a national orchestration by hospitals employers to enforce the lowest acceptable standards of care n areas of patient safety, patient advocacy, and patient protecting.
… Read more about: Children’s Bargaining – An Insider’s View  »

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Nurse – Jeanne Adomaitis, RN, Methodist

It was great to see all the nurses at bargaining today!  Unfortunately, management kept dozens of nurses waiting for 40 minutes.  For every other meeting they have been on time.

Karen Anderson, RN from Labor and Delivery, spoke eloquently about what it is like to be a nurse.

In addition to concerns about the current staffing process, we presented:

  1. A method to decrease the cost and increase the speed of grievances to go to arbitration.
  2. A plan to have an agreed-upon process for a fair and free choice to be unionized (ie Melrose).

    3. … Read more about: Methodist Bargaining Update (April 22)  »

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Below is a video and transcript of an amazing statement given in today’s bargaining session (April 22) with Methodist Hospital by Karen Anderson, RN.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkGaplPMFKg]

KAREN ANDERSON STATEMENT – TRANSCRIPT

Karen Anderson, RN, Methodist Hospital
Everyday that we go to work we are responsible for the health and well-being of our patients.  Doctors rely on our extensive training and expertise to make accurate evaluations of their patients, and to take timely, thoughtful, and effective, actions towards keeping those patients safe and healthy.

We do this by working nights, weekends, and holidays, on long, physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting shifts. 
… Read more about: Methodist Hospital Bargaining Update (Video)  »