Media Advisory: MNA nurses at Buffalo Hospital set Aug. 2 informational picket (Page 45)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Barb Brady
(office) 651-414-2849
(cell) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.orgRick Fuentes
(office) 651-414-2863
(cell) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

(Buffalo) –   July 22, 2017 – MNA nurses at Buffalo Hospital are planning an August 2 informational picket to draw the public’s attention to Allina Health’s failure to bargain a fair contract with them.

“Nurses are asking Allina Health to negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties,” said Debra Kosciolek, RN. “Allina is attempting to impose a new scheduling system that would harm the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain nurses. It would interfere with nurses’ ability to plan and use their scheduled time off. The proposed compensation for this is significantly below minimum wage and nearly half of what is paid in Monticello and Metro Allina hospitals.”

The proposed system would require nurses to be available to come to work within 30 minutes on days they’re not scheduled to work.

“This unlimited on-call scheduling would interfere with nurses’ ability to care for their families and enjoy normal activities.” said Kosciolek.

Allina is also forcing nurses to give up their health insurance plans and move to inferior corporate plans.

What: MNA nurses informational picket

When: 2-6 p.m., August 2, 2017

Where: Corner of Highway 25 and Catlin St., Buffalo

###

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In: Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Barb Brady
(office) 651-414-2849
(cell) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.orgRick Fuentes
(office) 651-414-2863
(cell) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

(Buffalo) –   July 22, 2017 – MNA nurses at Buffalo Hospital are planning an August 2 informational picket to draw the public’s attention to Allina Health’s failure to bargain a fair contract with them.

“Nurses are asking Allina Health to negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties,” said Debra Kosciolek, RN. “Allina is attempting to impose a new scheduling system that would harm the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain nurses.
… Read more about: Media Advisory: MNA nurses at Buffalo Hospital set Aug. 2 informational picket  »

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In: Activism, Home

By Rick Fuentes

MNA Communications Specialist

 

Ok, this might be painful.  It’s not easy to agree with the powers-that-be in Washington, regardless of who’s in the White House, and especially with one that’s also gone so bombastic with rhetoric as to denigrate entire religious, ethnic, and racial groups of Americans.  It’s even harder when that administration is threatening to take away healthcare from people who desperately need it. Regardless, the criticism toward CNN and the Trump critics is right. The news (and the high-profile Trump) critics need to raise their game.

 

A few weeks ago, CNN was forced to apologize and retract a story a Russian bank with close ties to President Trump was under investigation, according to the New York Times.
… Read more about: Why Trump Is Actually Right About Something and the Media Is Wrong  »

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In: Home, Nurses, Politics

By Geri Katz

MNA Healthcare Reform Specialist

 

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about the parliamentary election in the U.K., and the Labour Party’s pledge to enact a nationwide safe staffing law if they won a majority of the votes. While the Labour Party shocked observers and the Conservative Party by taking many more seats than expected, they did not win a majority. But U.K. nurses have won another victory that’s worth noting.

Eleanor Smith, a theatre (surgical) nurse for the National Health Service (NHS) was elected as part of the wave of Labour victories on June 8.
… Read more about: Nurse Ascends to Political Seat  »

People's Summit

On:
In: Action, Activism, Bernie Sanders, Home

By Jon Tollefson

MNA Government Relations Specialist

Much has been made of a conference that former presidential candidate Senator Bernie Senators hosted in Chicago last month. The New York Times and Washington Post both covered it (among a reported 180 news outlets) and both asked whether the Democratic Party is facing a split following the 2016 campaign. But the evidence doesn’t point that way.

 

The People’s Summit centered on the future of the progressive movement and how we can win elections. The main theme, as stated by Senator Sanders, was that “People are sick and tired of establishment politics and establishment economics,” noting that our lives will not get better by keeping the establishment in power.
… Read more about: Are Democrats Facing a Party Split or a Leadership Vacuum?  »

Peoples Summit

On:
In: Bernie Sanders, Home, Legislative Policy, Organizing, Politics

By Katie Gjertson

MNA Political Coordinator

This past June 9 – 11, more than 4,000 of my closest friends and strongest allies (nurses, community members, Bernie supporters, environmentalists, activists, and big-name speakers) got together to collaborate, plan, share ideas and strategies, and generally be inspired by one another. Here are my top ten favorite moments from the People’s Summit in Chicago that will maybe inspire more to come next year!

  1. Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner. Wow! Nina Turner is my hero! Nina had several speaking opportunities on stage, but, hands-down, the highlight was her Sunday morning talk titled, “Wake-up for Justice.” Nina, in a dress and tennis shoes, worked the crowd, roaming up and down the aisles as she talked about the movement moment we are in while drawing connections to the American Revolution and the Civil Rights movement.

    2. … Read more about: Top Ten Highlights from the People’s Summit in Chicago  »

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In: Home, Press Releases

Press Release:  Minnesota Nurses Buy and Forgive $2.6 million of Medical Debt

Minnesota Nurses Association

Minnesota Nurses Buy and Forgive $2.6 million of Medical Debt
Nurses Repay Community for Help During Strike

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.orgBarbara Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – June 19, 2017 – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association purchased the past due accounts of 1,800 families that will be forgiven in order to free these Minnesotans from the burden of oppressive medical debt.  Nurses were encouraged to give back to the community after all the support they received during the 2016 strikes against Allina Health.
… Read more about: Minnesota Nurses Buy and Forgive $2.6 million of Medical Debt  »

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In: Home, Mayo, Press Releases

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

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

(St. Paul) – June 12, 2017 – Mayo Clinic Health System’s decision to effectively close the Albert Lea hospital and turn it into an outpatient and surgery center will disrupt patient care and cost the community hundreds of jobs, including nurses and other healthcare employees, over the next few years, according to MNA nurses at the facility.

Mayo announced today details of a complex plan to restructure its hospitals in Albert Lea and Austin.
… Read more about: Press Release: Mayo Plan Disrupts Patient Care, Costs Hundreds of Jobs  »

nurse protest

On:
In: Home, Legislative Policy, Nurses, Single Payer, Standards of Care

By Geri Katz

 MNA Healthcare Reform Specialist

In the lead-up to tomorrow’s June 8 election in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party has pledged to nurses of the National Health Service to:

Two things about this remarkable pledge are worth noting for MNA nurses:

  1. This is what political power looks like.
  2. In a single payer healthcare system, the government has the leverage to make reforms to standards of care and working conditions across the country.

    3. … Read more about: Nurses in UK on the Verge of National Staffing Legislation  »

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In: Elections, Press Releases

Minnesota Nurses Endorse Candidates for Duluth City Council

 

Flipovich, Kennedy, and Sipress Praised for Supporting Nurse Values

For Immediate Release

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

(St. Paul) – May 31, 2017 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association has approved the endorsements of Joel Sipress for Duluth’s District 2 City Council seat and Zack Flipovich and Janet Kennedy for the two at-large positions.  All candidates were screened by a committee of MNA nurses, which submitted its recommendations to the board.

Sipress won endorsement thanks to his work advocating for workers at the Duluth Whole Foods Co-op. 
… Read more about: Minnesota Nurses Endorse Candidates for Duluth City Council  »

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In: Home, Nurses, Nurses Week

By Barb Brady

MNA Communications Specialist

Celebrations throughout the state, a proclamation by the governor, standing ovations in the Minnesota Legislature, and events around the world: people everywhere took a moment to recognize the wonderful nursing profession.

“Registered nurses strive to meet the different and emerging needs of Minnesotans in a wide range of settings, including large medical centers, local hospitals, outpatient clinics, psychiatric centers, nursing homes, veterans homes, addiction treatment centers, correctional facilities, medical rehab facilities, homes for the developmentally disabled, adolescent residential and secure facilities, community facilities, schools, and private offices,” according to a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton declaring May 6-12 Minnesota Nurses Week.
… Read more about: Nurses Celebrated Throughout the World During Nurses Week  »