MNA Legislative Update, February 28, 2014 (Page 71)

P1030876Budget Surplus

Today’s economic forecast showed the state has a budget surplus of $1.23 billion, due to better-than-projected revenue collections and lower spending. This news is a welcome change from past years of structural deficits, budget gimmicks and program cuts. This shows that Minnesota is on strong economic footing and the budget reforms made last session worked. Because the budget has been improving, the state has already paid off the entire “school shift” ($2.8 billion borrowed from public schools to shrink the 2011 budget deficit) so the $1.23 billion surplus is not obligated to be spent on any specific program. There will be a lot of talk coming up about what the state should do with this money, and we will continue to advocate for investing in our shared priorities: health care, education, caring for seniors and strengthening working families. Other proposals we anticipate include putting more money in reserves “for a rainy day” and tax breaks and rebates.

First Bill of 2014 Session Signed into Law

The legislature and Governor Dayton moved quickly to pass and sign a bill that would provide $20 million in additional funding to help low income Minnesotans pay their heating bills during this tough winter, exacerbated by a propane shortage.

Minimum Wage

The session kicked off with a big rally on Tuesday in support of raising the Minimum Wage. Last year, the House of Representatives passed a bill raising the minimum wage to $9.50 and indexing it to inflation (meaning it will rise automatically when workers’ cost of living goes up), but the Senate passed a bill raising the wage to only $7.50 and not indexed to inflation. The Conference Committee of senators and representatives working out the difference between the two bills took their work up again on Thursday and Friday of this week. If you haven’t already, please contact your Senator and urge them to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 and index it to inflation. Hard-working Minnesotans should not live in poverty. It’s time to raise the wage.

Nursing Hearing on Wednesday: Can you be there?

Next Wednesday, the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee is hearing two bills related to nurse licensure and discipline and the monitoring program for nurses with health problems, including chemical dependency. MNA supports one of the bills, which features approaches chemical dependency as a chronic disease that can be managed with treatment and monitoring so a nurse can return to work and practice nursing safely. The other proposal includes several punitive measures and proposes giving the Board of Nursing private health and legal information about nurses.

Can you be there?

WHAT: Senate Health Human Services and Housing Committee

DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 2014

TIME: Noon

WHERE: Room 15, State Capitol (Click here for directions and parking information)

Nurses Day on the Hill is March 10 & 11

Have you signed up for Nurses Day on the Hill yet? This event is for you, even if you’ve wondered how you can be an effective citizen advocate.  Come to the Capitol.  Talk to your legislators. We will give you all the tools and information you need at an education session on Monday, March 10, featuring interesting speakers, educational breakout sessions, and a fun dinner. On Tuesday, March 11, you will attend meetings with your legislators to advocate about issues that are important to nursing, patients, and working families. We will make appointments for you, but you have to register before March 3! Sign up today!

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Legislative Policy, Minimum Wage, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

P1030876Budget Surplus

Today’s economic forecast showed the state has a budget surplus of $1.23 billion, due to better-than-projected revenue collections and lower spending. This news is a welcome change from past years of structural deficits, budget gimmicks and program cuts. This shows that Minnesota is on strong economic footing and the budget reforms made last session worked. Because the budget has been improving, the state has already paid off the entire “school shift” ($2.8 billion borrowed from public schools to shrink the 2011 budget deficit) so the $1.23 billion surplus is not obligated to be spent on any specific program.
… Read more about: MNA Legislative Update, February 28, 2014  »

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Minnesota State Capitol St Paul MinnesotaThe Minnesota legislative session starts today, Tuesday, February 25, and we have a lot of work to do to protect the practice of nursing, promote patient safety and advance the health of our community.

Minimum Wage Rally: Tuesday, February 25, 4:00 pm at the Capitol in St. Paul We will kick the session off with hundreds of allies at a rally in support of raising the Minimum Wage. Raising the wage to at least $9.50 and indexing it to inflation will raise thousands of families out of poverty and stimulate our economy. No one who works full time should live in poverty and have to choose between food for their family or gas for their car.  
… Read more about: Nurse Voices at the Capitol Help Patients  »

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According to the summary of a report by the Center on Women and Public Policy and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota says that “at the current rate, the pay gap in Minnesota will not be closed until 2060.”  That’s right.  Men will still make more than women for the same job and the same work 140 years after Womens Suffrage, almost 90 years after a human landed on the moon, and about the same time Hailey’s Comet returns in its next 76-year-orbit.

As women succeed, the state succeeds.   How to accomplish that is spurred by the Womens Security Act-a legislative package of 17 ideas that are being championed by Rep.
… Read more about: Poverty has a Woman's Face  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Minnesota Nurses Association, National Nurses United, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing

(St. Paul, MN – Feb. 14, 2014)    32 registered nurses at Abbott Northwestern Westhealth Emergency Department and Urgent Care on Thursday overwhelmingly voted for a voice at work through contract representation by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). In a secret ballot election, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, nurses voted by 92% to join MNA.

Many of the nurses at the new stand-alone emergency/urgent care unit located in the Twin Cities suburb of Plymouth have worked at other MNA contract facilities  and were eager for the same opportunity to have a voice in their workplace to be able to advocate for themselves and their patients. 
… Read more about: Nurses at Abbott Northwestern-Westhealth Vote for Union Representation with Minnesota Nurses Association  »

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18MNA nurses conducted an informational picket on Tues., Feb. 11 to support colleagues from Regina Medical Center to highlight concerns the Hastings community and its nurses are being considered second-rate by corporate management.

Allina Healthcare’s proposals to Regina Medical Center and its Registered Nurses represent a second-rate commitment to the delivery of quality nursing care in the community relative to the care residents receive in every other area served by Allina full-service hospitals.

MNA nurses from Abbott Northwestern with support from other Allina facilities and MNA-represented hospitals all donned red to march in solidarity along Chicago Ave. in front of Abbott Northwestern Hospital. 
… Read more about: Abbott Nurses "Get the Red Out" to Support Hastings Colleagues  »

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Megan 2“I’d go back tomorrow,” states MNA member Megan Cassidy if she were asked to return to typhoon-ravaged Roxas City, Philippines.  And she’d be warmly welcomed by residents as well as the Registered Nurse Relief Network (RNRN) operation continuing to provide health services nearly three months after the area was decimated.

“The people we served are so appreciative that we keep coming,” said Cassidy who is back at her job as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis after volunteering in the Philippines from Jan. 15 – 27.  “But at the end of the day, it was my privilege to be there,” she added. 
… Read more about: RNs Still Make A Difference in Philippines  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Patient Safety, Patient Safety Standards, Standards of Care

Caucus-inviteAn Invitation from MNA President Linda Hamilton

2014 is an  important election year for nurses and the communities we care for and live in. The entire Minnesota House of Representatives is up for re-election, as well as the Governor, U.S. Senator Franken, all eight members of Congress and countless local races.

These elected officials make decisions about nursing and health care that affect our profession, our patients and our families. We must speak up for nursing values of caring, compassion and community. If we don’t advocate for our patients and our profession, no one will.

Start out by attending your party’s Caucus Night, Feb.
… Read more about: Nurse Power at Caucus Night Feb. 4  »

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In: Health Care Reform, Healthcare, Hospitals, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurses, Nursing, Patient Safety, Patient Safety Standards, Standards of Care

2013-Adverse-EventNurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association are pleased to see reductions in adverse events as reported in the 2013 Adverse Event Report by the Minnesota Department of Health but caution patients that the annual report of preventable errors in hospitals doesn’t tell the whole story of patient safety. They say no patient should suffer a fatal fall if they receive the proper nursing care.  Read More of MNA’s Statement

Read the full report
… Read more about: Nurses React to 2013 Adverse Event Report  »

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On Monday, Dec. 23, nearly 100 nurses and community supporters gathered in sub-zero  weather determined to send  a message of solidarity to Allina corporation.  “We give first-rate care to our patients, and we don’t deserve to be treated like second-class citizens,” said nurse Linda Held.

Allina assumed ownership of Regina Medical Center in Hastings in the Fall 2013, but current contract negotiations have come up short on proposals to provide  benefits that are equal to other Allina facilities, some just a short 20-minute drive away.

MNA has negotiated equitable insurance and pension benefits for nurses at Allina facilities in other cities beyond the metro area, such as Buffalo and Cambridge.  
… Read more about: Candlelight Vigil Illuminates Hastings Nurses’ Desire for A Christmas Marvel  »