The Star Tribune's Coverage: An MNA RN Shares Her Thoughts (Page 88)

To whom it may concern,

I have been saddened by your biased coverage of this entire journey with the nurses and hospitals. I am a nurse of 15 years and appalled by your choice of front page articles related to this event. Giving out Nurses income numbers(that were totally inaccurate), to talking to “so called nurses” that do not back the strike and were going to cross the picket line, just to name a few. Where are the articles that have the hospital administrators incomes and bonuses, or where is the story about doctors and hospital members that do not support what the hospitals are doing and back the nurses. You have made my job of correcting your inaccurate coverage to friends and family very difficult. The News/Media is supposed to report current events unbiased and fair. You have failed at this multiple times and now have a lot of nurses that will never subscribe to your paper again. It is clear you are a anti- union paper. I will talk to anyone and everyone that will listen to what I have to say about your paper. Very sad. I grew up with your paper and will never get it again.

— Anne Kohorst, RN

On:
In: Bargaining, Nurses Strike

To whom it may concern,

I have been saddened by your biased coverage of this entire journey with the nurses and hospitals. I am a nurse of 15 years and appalled by your choice of front page articles related to this event. Giving out Nurses income numbers(that were totally inaccurate), to talking to “so called nurses” that do not back the strike and were going to cross the picket line, just to name a few. Where are the articles that have the hospital administrators incomes and bonuses, or where is the story about doctors and hospital members that do not support what the hospitals are doing and back the nurses.
… Read more about: The Star Tribune’s Coverage: An MNA RN Shares Her Thoughts  »

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In: Healthcare, Hospitals

Just came across an interesting read from MedCity News on the financial missteps several Twin Cities Hospitals took during the recession of 2008-09 – specifically in terms of trying to expand too fast, borrowing big money and gambling (and losing) in the stock market. Not exactly the picture of financial restraint and prudence one might expect from non-profit entities charged with ensuring their customers’ health and well-being comes first and foremost. What do you think? (Click here to read the story.)
… Read more about: Twin Cities Hospitals & The Great Recession: Fiscal Restraint Goes AWOL  »

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In: Bargaining, Nurses Strike

NOTE: The post below was sent by the spouse of an MNA RN to the Star Tribune as a letter to the editor.

“Do justice.”

These words from Isaiah keep coming to me as I read your joint article in in today’s Star Tribune.

Do you feel your coverage has done justice to both sides?

Sadly, I don’t.  I freely admit, as the spouse of a 30 plus year MNA nurse, I have a side.  I proudly walked the picket line with her last month.  Which side are you on?  
… Read more about: Star Tribune: Do Justice  »

On:
In: Bargaining

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moxuMPctWXs]

VIEW DETAILS OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

The short version summary of this agreement is that all the hospitals’ takebacks and concessions are GONE, the pension is untouched and all the benefits of your current contract (including MNA Health Insurance, etc.) remain in place as they always have been. In essence your entire contract has been completely protected and preserved. We will be having an all-member vote on July 6th from 6:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. to officially ratify the contract. Voting will happen at two locations – the MNA Office in St. Paul and Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park.
… Read more about: Breaking News: Settlement Agreement Reached  »

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In: Duluth Bargaining

Today was our fifth negotiation meeting with management of SMDC. Our current contract expires at midnight. Management continued with their theme of NO!

Three main things happened today:
1.No progress, measured by…
2.No responses to our staffing proposal
3.No economic proposal. (Note: The MNA economic proposal includes fair wage increases, fair pension contributions and health insurance.)

“I am sad and depressed that such a beautiful Duluth day was wasted in negotiations as no forward progress was made today.  Management has been absolutely non-responsive and it appears they are stalling to see what happens in the Metro Area.  At out last meeting we informed Management that today we would have the Economic Proposal as our primary topic.  
… Read more about: Duluth Bargaining – SMDC Update (June 30)  »

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In: Duluth Bargaining

I live and work in northern Minnesota, Duluth to be specific.   I can appreciate the occasional grand snow storm, one in which limited nurses and other staff is able to get to the hospital to work.  We call those days “snow days” and only the basics are truly expected to be done with the limited staff available.  The patients seem to recognize the hardship and in part take in the experience with understanding.

However… when the majority of shifts we work feels like a “snow day” and it has become more of the norm to run like crazy all shift and consistently not have enough staff to care for the patients, we are teetering on a disaster waiting to happen.  
… Read more about: My Story: Renee Ebel, RN  »