Press Release: Twin Cities Nurses Enter Negotiations Optimistic and Steadfast (Page 39)

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
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Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

 Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

​
(St. Paul) –   March 26, 2019 –  Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association in the Metro area begin negotiations today with Twin Cities hospitals to reach agreement on new contracts that will ensure quality patient care.  Nurses will approach negotiations optimistic that a cooperative approach with Metro hospitals will lead to a settlement while still firmly believing in contract proposals that value nurses and patients.

“Nurses are united in putting forth proposals that recognize the value of their care and their professional judgment to protect patients,” said Jordan Foerster, a negotiations team member and a Registered Nurse at Fairview.

Fairview nurses start their negotiations with their hospital today.  On Wednesday, Allina, Children’s, Methodist, and HealthEast nurses will begin negotiations with their respective hospitals.  On Friday, North Memorial nurses have their first day of negotiations with their employer.  Negotiations are scheduled to continue about once a week through May.  The current contracts expire on May 31, 2019.

“Staffing and workplace violence are still daily issues in our hospitals,” said Emily Sippola, Registered Nurse at United Hospital and negotiating on behalf of Allina nurses.  “We’re asking hospitals to track and report violent incidents with frontline staff to help create prevention plans to protect nurses and patients.”

A HealthEast facility was the site of a fatal violent incident in 2015.  Violence is commonplace across Twin Cities hospitals.  In 2018, Allina Health hospitals reported more than 3,000 violent incidents against nurses alone.

“Nurses need to have a say in shaping staffing levels according to patient needs, not just what’s the easiest, cheapest option,” Foerster said.  “The present system of forcing nurses to keep up with patient needs and constantly calling and texting for more help isn’t safe or sustainable.  It only leads to burnout for nurses.”

MNA nurses in the Metro are united in proposing that they have a stronger voice in the creation of “staffing grids,” which determine how many nurses are needed to provide patient care.  They also hope that increases to nurses’ compensation will ensure that hospitals can attract and retain the best nurses who can provide the highest quality care.

“We’re looking forward to productive conversations with the hospitals,” said Elaina Hane, RN at Children’s St. Paul.  “We’ve put a lot of work into proposals with contract language that can work for nurses, the hospitals, and, of course, the patients.  We expect Children’s and the other Metro hospitals to meet us with the same commitment to working on an agreement.”

 

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In: Bargaining, Home, Press Releases

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

 Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

​
(St. Paul) –   March 26, 2019 –  Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association in the Metro area begin negotiations today with Twin Cities hospitals to reach agreement on new contracts that will ensure quality patient care.  Nurses will approach negotiations optimistic that a cooperative approach with Metro hospitals will lead to a settlement while still firmly believing in contract proposals that value nurses and patients.

“Nurses are united in putting forth proposals that recognize the value of their care and their professional judgment to protect patients,” said Jordan Foerster, a negotiations team member and a Registered Nurse at Fairview.
… Read more about: Press Release: Twin Cities Nurses Enter Negotiations Optimistic and Steadfast  »

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In: Action, Day On the Hill, Nurses, Patient Safety, Politics, Standards of Care, Workplace violence prevention

By Diane McLaughlin, RN

Commission of Active Retired Nurses & Government Affairs Commissioner

 

It is so inspiring to see about 100 MNA nurses from all over Minnesota come together and speak up for patients with our legislators at the Capitol during the annual Day on the Hill this year.

The Feb. 11-12 event was as rewarding and inspiring as ever.

After an evening of socializing and training, we met with our own representatives and senators to use our voices as citizen lobbyists to talk about the issues impacting our patients and our profession.

I met with Rep.
… Read more about: One Word for MNA’s Nurses Day on the Hill: Phenomenal  »

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In: Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Contact:  Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

 

(St. Paul) – March 25, 2019 – The budget targets unveiled by Minnesota House DFL leaders today make wise investments in Minnesota’s future, according to the Minnesota Nurses Association.

“Nurses applaud proposals to invest in healthcare, education, infrastructure and tax fairness,” said MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN. “This plan put Minnesota on the right path.”

Turner said proposals to implement health insurance discounts for individuals  and continue the provider tax that funds MinnesotaCare will help nurses provide patients with the care they need and deserve.
… Read more about: Press Release: House budget targets make the right investments in Minnesota’s future  »

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In: Health Care Reform, Healthcare, Home, Hospitals, Single Payer

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

According to a new report, hospital prices went up even though usage of healthcare actually went down.  Sadly, the takeaway shows that what a patient pays for healthcare determines how much they’re able to seek care and actually be healthy.  The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) report, “Healthy Marketplace Index,” analyzed more than 1.8 billion commercial claims from 2012 to 2016, HCCI’s report shows commercial healthcare prices increased by 13 percent (almost 3 times faster than inflation) while utilization of services dropped 17 percent nationwide.

 

It’s not just what healthcare costs that matters either. 
… Read more about: Hospital Prices Rise But Hospital Admits Drop  »

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In: Action, Activism, Home, Member Blog, National Nurses United

By Candy Matzke, RN

MNA Member, GAC Commissioner

 

January 19, 2019. It feels like last weekend and yet so far away! I was a proud MNA member who joined nurses from all over the country, as well as may other coalitions.  We were mainly women-oriented or justice-oriented activists, and I saw men there too with pink, feminist hats and t-shirts stating they were supporters of the movement of women and their causes.

 

Because of the shutdown, when I got to DC, there was no traffic.  There were no tourists visiting the Smithsonian. It was a strange feeling, until I saw my peeps, the NNU nurses, my fellow MNA nurses, the “Me too” movement, the Black Lives Matter folks, Planned Parenthood, my LGBTQ and IA Now folks (inclusion and unity). 
… Read more about: Women’s March in DC with NNU  »

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In: Home, Organizing, Press Releases

Contact:  Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

(Bismarck, N.D.) – March 6, 2019 – An overwhelming majority of registered nurses at CHI St. Alexius Medical Center chose to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association during two days of voting this week.

“St. Alexius nurses want to provide top quality care to all our patients by having a voice in our workplace,” said Margo Maxon, an RN at the hospital. “Nurses believe coming together and speaking with one voice is the best way to advocate for our patients.”

“MNA members welcome St. Alexius nurses to our union family,” said MNA President Mary C.
… Read more about: Press Release: St. Alexius nurses in North Dakota vote to affiliate with Minnesota Nurses Association  »

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In: Hospitals, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

​
(St. Paul) – March 6, 2019 –  An analysis of hospital prices shows Minnesota hospitals are charging an average of 212 percent more than it costs them to care for patients, according to the study by National Nurses United and the Minnesota Nurses Association.  The study also shows that hospital prices have risen threefold over 20 years when compared to other goods and services in the consumer price index.

“By looking at what it costs to care for patients and comparing that to what hospitals actually charge patients, it shows that hospital prices haven’t just gone up exponentially,” said Tara Fugate, researcher for the Minnesota Nurses Association, “They’ve gone up faster than the prices of other goods and services in the economy.”

The study compares chargemaster prices for 111 acute-care facilities in Minnesota with the costs for care for each hospital as listed in the Medicare Cost Reports (MCR). 
… Read more about: Press Release: Study Shows Minnesota Hospital Prices Rising Faster than Economy  »

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In: Allina, Home, Hospitals, National Nurses United

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

Minnesota hospital charges are rising and have been for decades, but the difference between what hospitals charge patients and the amount hospitals need to deliver care is not often discussed. How much does it actually cost hospitals to provide care? The answer is: it varies. However, one thing is consistent across the state, every hospital included in a recent National Nurses United and Minnesota Nurses Association study charges more than the “cost” of delivering care. The “cost” of delivering care refers not only to direct labor and supply costs but also to administrative and general costs, such as maintenance and housekeeping.
… Read more about: Report Shows Hospital Pricing Rising Faster than Economy  »

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In: Education, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurse education

By Hans-Peter De Ruiter

MNAF Board Chair

For years the MNA Foundation has supported nurses in their pursuit of continuing their academic careers. MNA members have completed BSN programs, become nurse educators, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists; they have earned master’s degrees, doctorates and PhDs all in the pursuit of advancing the nursing profession and taking patient advocacy to new heights.

Today the foundation is thrilled to announce a new and very exciting scholarship, named in honor of our country’s first African-American graduate nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney. The Mary Eliza Mahoney scholarship will provide financial support to a fellow union member who wants to become a nurse and a member of the MNA.
… Read more about: Announcing the Mary Eliza Mahoney Memorial Scholarship  »

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In: Board of Nursing, Home

By Cameron Fure

MNA Political Organizer

MNA members have a wide array of ways to get active in their organization. Advocacy beyond the bedside can take many forms whether it be serving as a steward at your hospital, on your unions negotiating team, on an MNA Board or commission, getting involved in an MNA nurse-endorsed political campaign, or coming to the Capitol to advocate for your patients. One way that you can have a huge impact is by applying to serve on the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

The time commitment can vary year to year but you could expect 12-15 hours a month on average.
… Read more about: Nurses Care, Nurses Serve  »