2021 MNA Convention Recap (Page 20)

By Marcia Swanson, RN, Essentia Health Duluth/MDMC

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, the 2021 MNA Convention went virtual. With a very full agenda for the House of Delegates, we knew we had our work cut out for us.

Sunday included education in the morning, and the afternoon brought us the Legislative Forum and a session for questions on proposed Bylaws and Resolutions.

Spirited conversations were had in the educations that included Commitment to Antiracism, Moral Suffering, and White Privilege and Racism as well as three NNU talks on Endangerment of Nurses & Patients, Queering Care and an update on COVID-19.

There was also a trivia game planned, which was hilarious and much needed after the second day of the convention.

The 2020 and 2021 Honors and Awards ceremony was postponed, and recipients will be honored at MNA’s Virtual Honors & Awards Ceremony on November 11, 2021, from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

On Monday morning, MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN gave the opening speech with a review of the pandemic and its effect. A moment of silence was given to an MNA nurse who lost his battle with COVID-19, prayers to the family of Al Carr (ANW) and all frontline workers/families who lost their lives to COVID-19.

When the house opened on Monday, there were 120 credentialed delegates; on Tuesday evening for the last vote, we were at 135. Thank you to all who participated in the 2021 Convention.

The work of the delegates is never done with the increasing stress we have in our profession. There were many discussions held during the debate with many different points of view.

We all know what we are facing, and we will need to work together. Together we can get a Safe Staffing bill passed and fight the corporatization of healthcare.

As the work of the House was not completed, it will make next year’s Convention schedule very full once again. The MNA Legislative Platform was one piece that was not able to be presented. Please take the time to read over this and all other pieces that were unable to be presented.

As I reviewed my Convention handbook, I noted that many of our Commissions and Committees have more than 1-2 people on them. This is progress!

Next year will be challenging as well, but hopefully Convention will be in person. And mark your calendars, Day on the Hill is set for March 9, 2022!

 

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In: Events, Member Blog

By Marcia Swanson, RN, Essentia Health Duluth/MDMC

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, the 2021 MNA Convention went virtual. With a very full agenda for the House of Delegates, we knew we had our work cut out for us.

Sunday included education in the morning, and the afternoon brought us the Legislative Forum and a session for questions on proposed Bylaws and Resolutions.

Spirited conversations were had in the educations that included Commitment to Antiracism, Moral Suffering, and White Privilege and Racism as well as three NNU talks on Endangerment of Nurses & Patients, Queering Care and an update on COVID-19.
… Read more about: 2021 MNA Convention Recap  »

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In: Activism, Hospitals, Issues, Member Blog

By Chris Rubesch, RN, MNA First Vice President

The landscape of healthcare is changing rapidly and healthcare workers and patients often see and feel the effects of those changes acutely. Recently, the corporatization and consolidation of hospital systems has resulted in the closure of facilities and reduction of services around the region. This issue was most acute this winter with the closure of St. Joe’s Hospital by the HealthEast system. Throughout this process, MNA members were among the loudest voices advocating for the best interests of their patients and communities.

After the closure, we heard from members wanting to conduct a root cause analysis to look at MNA’s response and help us plan for similar future situations.
… Read more about: A Call to Action: Responding to Hospital Closures  »

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In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Workers will continue push both inclusive recognition and additional steps to protect Minnesotans

(St. Paul) – October 27, 2021 – A coalition of workers vowed to fight on to the legislative session today after three Republican legislators blocked the allocation of $250 million set aside by the legislature to compensate workers exposed to COVID-19.

Three Republican members of the Frontline Worker Pay Group voted Wednesday to reject a compromise proposal introduced by Rep.
… Read more about: Essential Workers Condemn Republicans Obstruction of Frontline Worker Pay, Plans turn to Legislative Session after Republicans Reject Compromise on $250 million Fund  »

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In: Activism, Legislative Policy, Member Blog

By Rachel Hanneman, RN

On March 13, 2020, the first of many Peacetime Emergency Acts was implemented in Minnesota. Since that time, we have endured a raging pandemic, social unrest and unnerving threats to the foundations of our stability. Gratitude was tested in unimaginable ways as citizens across the state hunkered down for an unprecedented time indoors. Unfortunately, the opportunity for safe harbor was not granted to all workers across the state, and approximately one million Minnesotans still answered the call of the time clock.

Peace of mind was granted by way of hot meals being prepared for carry out, shelves being stocked with food and games, and hospitals being staffed by an immense team of personnel.
… Read more about: For those who stood beside us  »

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In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – October 14, 2021 – Nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) at Allina’s WestHealth campus in Plymouth, Minn. will go on strike from Sunday, October 17 through Wednesday, October 20, 2021, as nurses seek a contract with Allina that provides fair pay and benefits to nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sonya Worner, a Registered Nurse at WestHealth, said, “WestHealth nursing staff stayed the course during the COVID-19 pandemic.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses to Strike at Allina WestHealth for Fair Pay and Benefits  »

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In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Push comes as Republicans continue to demand the exclusion of hundreds of thousands of workers while continuing to threaten the firing of the Health Commissioner, holding up process of getting money out

(Saint Paul) – On Wednesday, October 6th, Essential workers who have kept our state running throughout COVID were joined Wednesday by members of the Frontline Worker Pay Worker Group at the Minnesota State Capitol to demand action on a final deal from the group that includes all essential workers as Republicans on the group continue to bring up divisive issues and hold up the process that is now one month past its deadline.
… Read more about: One Month Past Deadline, Workers and Frontline Worker Pay Working Group Members Push for Proposal That Doesn’t Leave Behind Any Essential Workers  »

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In: COVID-19, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org 
“I thought you said we were essential?!”: Workers reject GOP proposal to exclude building service, food, childcare and other staff most at risk

(St. Paul) – September 30, 2021 – Essential workers responded to a plan released by the Republican members of the Frontline Worker Pay Work Group with disappointment and encouraged lawmakers to work together to find a solution that does not exclude essential workers from the frontline worker pay fund created by Governor Walz and the legislature.

“My parents work in the food service industry, and unfortunately, they got COVID.
… Read more about: Essential Workers Demand Fair, Fast Action from Frontline Pay Group  »

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In: COVID-19, Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 29, 2021 – This Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 1 p.m. CST, MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN, and the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force will meet to prioritize and advance final recommendations to inform federal COVID-19 response and to address the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on some of our most vulnerable communities, including inequities by race, ethnicity, geography, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors.

This will be the seventh meeting of the national task force since it was formed in February.
… Read more about: MNA President Turner, Biden-Harris COVID-19 Task Force to Meet on Federal Pandemic Response  »

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In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Shannon Cunningham
(o) 651-414-2838
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 9, 2021 – Recently, the MNA Board of Directors surveyed MNA members asking their positions on impending mandatory vaccination programs being put forth by Minnesota hospitals. After reviewing the results of the survey and the wide variety of member positions on these issues, the MNA BOD does not believe members are unified around any one position either for or against the mandatory vaccination programs. As a result of that, the MNA Board is releasing the following statement:

The Minnesota Nurses Association believes that voluntary vaccination programs along with other essential infection control measures such as optimal personal protective equipment, contact tracing, rapid testing and results, adequate staffing, hygiene, environmental controls, isolation policies, and paid COVID leave for healthcare workers who need to quarantine are the most effective strategy for a healthy population and that all those who can be vaccinated should be.
… Read more about: MNA Board of Directors’ Statement on Member Vaccine Mandate Survey  »

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In: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Shannon Cunningham
(o) 651-414-2838
(c) 651-269-1418
shannon.cunningham@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – September 7, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association is proud to announce endorsements of Mike Mayou for Duluth’s 2nd District City Council Seat, Renee Van Nett for Duluth’s 4th District City Council Seat, and Terese Tomanek and Joe Macor for the two at-large seats.

The endorsement process included a candidate questionnaire and an interview with candidates by a local screening committee of nurse members who live and work in Duluth.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Endorse Candidates for Duluth City Council  »