11 Days to Campaign for RN Values (Page 78)

Nursing issues are at stake in this election.  With a nurse-friendly legislature we can:

  • Advance MNA’s Safe Staffing bill
  • Stop the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact from bringing down Minnesota’s nursing standards
  • Protect Workers’ Rights

Many MNA-endorsed candidates are in close races and help from nurses could put them over the top. 
MNA’s 2012 Legislative Scorecard offers insight into voting records on nursing issues of candidates who served in last year’s legislature and are running for re-election.     

Get out your calendar and block out time to:

  • Phone other nurses and ask them to support MNA-endorsed candidates. Easy, quick and very effective. Contact Geri Katz at 651-414-2855 or geri.katz@mnnurses.org.
  • Doorknock for targeted legislative races Contact Geri Katz at 651-414-2855 or geri.katz@mnnurses.org. Activities are happening all over the state this weekend.  Here are just a few examples:

ST. PAUL: Saturday 10/27 at 10:00 am, to talk to voters in districts where the races are too close to call.  Meet at 411 Main Street (St. Paul Regional Labor Federation) in Downtown St. Paul.

OWATONNA: Saturday, 10/27, 11:00am  Meet at Central Park Coffee at 11:00 to doorknock in support of Senate candidate Vicki Jensen.  The address is 113 County Highway 1, it is on the corner of Broadway and North Cedar avenue in the downtown area of Owatonna.  It is necessary to RSVP if you will be coming!

COON RAPIDS: Sunday, 10/28, noon  Meet at the Starbucks in Coon Rapids this Sunday starting at 12:00.  The address is 9920 Foley Blvd NW.

DULUTH: Sunday 10/28, 1-3pm, 4-6pm; also Tuesday-Thursday, 5-8pm
Phonebanks for targeted legislative and congressional races, including in support of the author of the Safe Staffing bill. At the Duluth Labor Temple (2002 London Road).

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

Nursing issues are at stake in this election.  With a nurse-friendly legislature we can:

  • Advance MNA’s Safe Staffing bill
  • Stop the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact from bringing down Minnesota’s nursing standards
  • Protect Workers’ Rights

Many MNA-endorsed candidates are in close races and help from nurses could put them over the top. 
MNA’s 2012 Legislative Scorecard offers insight into voting records on nursing issues of candidates who served in last year’s legislature and are running for re-election.     

Get out your calendar and block out time to:

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

NOTES ON NURSING

Hayride For Patient Safety in Marshall  MNA Nurses at Marshall Avera Regional Medical Center took to the streets on Oct. 23 – on a haywagon – to campaign for a fair contract that keeps patients safe.   

LABOR NEWS

Today in History:  In 1940, the 40-hour work week went into effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

Equal Pay?  U.S. Still Doesn’t Get it Right    If a young man and woman fresh out of college with the same degree walk into a large firm, typically, the man can get placed in higher-wage jobs than the woman.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, October 24, 2012: Marshall action; Honoring Wellstones; Equal pay news is dismal  »

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MNA nurses at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center took their patient advocacy to the streets yesterday – on a haywagon!  Carrying the message of “Nurses on the Frontlines for Main Street People,” the nurses rode a very public route that included passing the hospital, Southwest State University and the HyVee, as well as through residential streets.  Negotiations are dragging and nurses are demanding a contract that helps nurses keep patients safe, including:

• adequate staffing

• A contract that gives us a stronger voice in patient care

• Healthy workplaces that keep nurses at the bedside

MNA members distributed nearly 1,000 flyers with the name and contact information of Avera CEO, Mary Martens.
… Read more about: Marshall Nurses on Hayride for Patient Safety  »

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HEALTH CARE

Hospitals Add 8,000 New Jobs in September   Altogether, the healthcare sector added 43,500 jobs last month–more than a  third of the 114,000 jobs the U.S. economy added in September.

Mayo Clinic Adds Bismark Hospital to Network   The Mayo Clinic has added Bismarck-based St. Alexius Medical Center to its national network of hospitals, its first medical center in that part of North Dakota and its 10th in the past year.

The Ups and Downs of Electronic Medical Records   As health care providers adopt electronic records, the challenges have proved daunting, with a potential for mix-ups and confusion that can be frustrating, costly and even dangerous.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, October 10, 2012: Hospitals add 8k new jobs in Sept.; Adequate nurse staffing a universal problem  »

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Join your fellow union members as we say –

WORKING FAMILIES VOTE NO!

We Are Minnesota, a coalition of local unions including MNA, is sponsoring a rally to demonstrate our opposition to BOTH constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot this fall.

WHEN & WHERE:  Sunday, September 30 in St. Paul’s Rice Park

Gather at 12:30; program (about 45 minutes) at 1:00.

Emcee will be SAG-AFTRA and Equity member Sue Scott of Prairie Home Companion, and speakers will include labor leaders, rank-and-file members, and dignitaries.  We’ll also have some great musical performers, including the Twin Cities Labor Chorus and AFofM member singer-guitarist Scott Dercks, who will lead us in a sing-along to end the program.
… Read more about: Sunday, September 30 Rally – Working Families Vote No!  »

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/sOGjZoI55UE]

It may seem like a simple thing, requiring Minnesotans to show their photo ID before they vote. As a matter of fact, some of your friends and neighbors still think it is. You might even think it makes sense.

That’s why we want you to watch this new video . The voter restriction amendment is far from simple and that is why we oppose it. As a matter of fact, the legislature made it very complicated. It will cost millions to implement and ends Minnesota’s 40-year tradition of Election Day registration.

The voter restriction amendment being considered here is the most restrictive in the country, placing hurdles between the ballot box and Minnesotans serving in the military, seniors and young voters.
… Read more about: This Fall, Vote NO on Voter ID  »

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Sunday, September 2

Virginia

Iron Range Labor Assembly picnic

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Olcott Park, Virginia 55792

Program at 1:30 p.m. Join us for a raffle, games for kids, a beer garden and all the food you can eat. This picnic is open to anyone.

 

Monday, September 3 – Labor Day

Brainerd/Baxter

Brainerd Trades and Labor Assembly Solidarity Day 2012 Labor Day picnic

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Baxter City Park, Baxter MN 56425

Join us for food, beverages, music, games for kids and door prizes.
… Read more about: Labor Day Activities, 2012  »

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HEALTH CARE

Big Med  Blog note:  This long piece published in the New Yorker, is written by the same author who uncovered the discrepancies in health cre spending, most notably in McAllen, TX.  It is a provocative article about corporatization of health care that will be a source of heated discussion.  Weigh in yourself,  using the comments section below.

Hospital Chain Inquiry Cited Unnecessary Cardiac Work  Blog note: another point about health care corporitization.  And it was a nurse who blew the whistle.

In British Emergency Room, “There’s No Card to Show; There are No Bills”   Take the American tourist.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 7, 2012: How is that corporate health care working for you?  »