A Call to Action: Responding to Hospital Closures (Page 26)

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.

Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Joseph%27s_Hospital_(St._Paul,_Minnesota).jpg

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. The Collective Bargaining Committee undertook this task and developed a member survey to look deeper into what members knew about the closure, how they were involved and how we can better respond next time.

The survey included questions written by members and had input from staff with experience putting together our regular member survey. We want to share some of the information we learned and how we can use that data going forward.

The survey was sent via email to all members and was additionally promoted through our stewards, the Metro Council and on social media. Of the responses we received, roughly 50% were from Fairview/HealthEast members. When asked what barriers they faced to participating in actions related to the hospital closures, the majority of members said they either didn’t know about the events or did not have time to participate. This indicates that we have a lot of work to do to strengthen our communication structures.

One of the other central questions in the survey asked if the Board of Directors should take a more active role in supporting local bargaining units when they face issues that they may not have the resources or infrastructure to face themselves. Over 60% of members said yes, they wanted to see the Board provide greater support to local Chairs and bargaining units facing these situations.

We concluded the survey by asking what people see as our strengths. Members said some of our greatest assets include our large number of union members, high public trust of nurses, our staff members and MNA’s elected leaders.

So, what do we do next with this information? Over the past year, the Collective Bargaining Task Force, made up of members from every facility within MNA, has been meeting, looking at our union structure and recommending strategies for us to engage more members and grow our power. This survey reinforces many of the task force’s forthcoming recommendations and provides even more evidence to support our plans to transition to the organizing model and engage members directly in the work of the union.

You will continue to see and hear from MNA in this work in the months to come. We planned and conducted an organizing model education session at our October convention, and we have planned an MNA-wide negotiating and organizing summit in November, as well as an organization-wide roll out of steward trainings in the new year. I hope many of you will take part in these opportunities and help us make MNA even stronger. Thank you to those of you who took part in the survey and made your voices heard.

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  »

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  »

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  »

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  »

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  »

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  »

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  »

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  »

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  »

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) – August 11, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association is proud to announce the endorsement of Melvin Carter for St. Paul Mayor. The endorsement process included a candidate questionnaire and an interview with Carter by a local screening committee of nurse members who live and work in St. Paul. Those nurses made a recommendation to the nurse-elected MNA Board for the endorsement of Melvin Carter.
… Read more about: MNA Nurses Endorse Melvin Carter for St. Paul Mayor  »