MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 19, 2012: Robin Hood Tax Hits Congress; CTU Strike Ends (Page 95)

Big News on the Robin Hood Tax front: Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison (pictured above) introduced a bill in Congress this week that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation.  The Inclusive Prosperity Act  would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.

LABOR

After 7 days, the Chicago Teachers Strike is over and students are returning to the classroom.

Registered nurses at Menorah Medical Center have approved a labor contract to be represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United.

HEALTH CARE

Gov. Mark Dayton asserted to Legislative leaders Tuesday that he will seek federal approval to move forward on a Minnesota-made health insurance exchange, but said he will defer important policy decisions until after the November election. The exchanges are a key component of President Obama’s health care law that will create a competitive marketplace for individuals and small businesses to shop around for more affordable health insurance.

Despite the sluggish economy and uncertainly surrounding health reform, healthcare construction projects are booming in Kentucky and other states, as large health systems and regional hospitals continue to make multi-million-dollar capital investments.

In their drive to cut costs and produce better patient outcomes, American health care policy makers and administrators are embracing a variety of work reorganization schemes borrowed from other industries. Some boast of their “Toyota lean” approach to health care delivery. Others have looked to Disney World for new ideas. The newest business model being touted is the chain restaurant The Cheesecake Factory.

In Michigan, local retirees try to visit Congressman Dan Benishek’s office on Sept. 12, 2012, in Gaylord, to tell him to protect Medicare instead of millionaires. The office is staffed but locked, and the retirees are forced to stay in the hallway. Watch it below:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/8KuRbQid53A]

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

Big News on the Robin Hood Tax front: Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison (pictured above) introduced a bill in Congress this week that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation.  The Inclusive Prosperity Act  would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.

LABOR

After 7 days, the Chicago Teachers Strike is over and students are returning to the classroom.

Registered nurses at Menorah Medical Center have approved a labor contract to be represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee and National Nurses United.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 19, 2012: Robin Hood Tax Hits Congress; CTU Strike Ends  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nurses Strike, Politics, Right to Work

Anybody catch WCCO TV News last night? They had a feature on Labor Unions and Strikes, and talked a lot toward the end about MNA and 2010.

Here’s the Video:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/KqbUW2zx8fs]

 

LABOR

Video: The clever – and often funny – picket signs spotted on the line during the Chicago Teachers Union Strike. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://youtu.be/fCSEXzsFfr4]
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 18, 2012: Labor Unions, Strikes and MNA  »

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Politics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
September 17, 2012

Contact: Carl Ginsburg 917-405-1060 or Charles Idelson, 510-273-2246

Robin Hood Tax Introduced In Congress

HR-6411: To Tax Wall Street; Real Revenue for Critical National, International Needs

New York – The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation.  Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act,  would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.
… Read more about: Press Release: MN Rep. Keith Ellison Introduces Robin Hood Tax Bill In Congress  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

LABOR

Latest from CTU Strike: Lawyers for Chicago Public Schools filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court this morning seeking a preliminary injunction to immediately end the teachers strike.

The Washington Post examines what the bombshell news out of Wisconsin this weekend might mean for Labor Unions nationally.

From The Los Angeles Times: A group with ties to the conservative billionaire Koch brothers has dropped $4 million to pass a ballot measure that would severely limit the political activity of labor unions.

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school board members settled work agreements with three labor unions last week and set salaries for administrative employees not covered by collective bargaining units.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 17, 2012: What Wisconsin Ruling Might Mean For Labor Unions  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

LABOR

The Chicago teachers strike enters its fifth day as “number crunching” apparently delayed a deal that both sides had hoped would be reached on Thursday.

HEALTH CARE

Op/Ed: Listen to front-line care solutions for inadequate staffing.

Bedside Manner Matters: In a follow-up to a smaller study published last year, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have concluded that more empathetic physicians achieve better clinical outcomes.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 14, 2012: End in Sight for Striking Chicago Teachers?  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

 

LABOR

As their Strike enters its fourth day, news reports say the Chicago Teachers Union is close to reaching a deal with city officials.

Op/Ed from The New York Times – Unions Are Striking Back, at Last

HEALTH CARE

The federal government has found that collection practices at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview violated federal rules on patient rights as well as a law that calls on hospitals to stabilize emergency room patients before asking for payment.

On the health insurance front, employers and their workers are paying an average of 4 percent more this year in premiums for health insurance – an increase that’s more than double the rate of wage growth from last year.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 13, 2012: Feds say Fairview Violated Patient Rights, Laws with Debt Collection Tactics  »

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In: Activism, Politics

[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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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

 

LABOR

The Chicago Teachers Strike enters Day 3 – read the latest developments.

Find out via National Nurses United’s Blog how you can help Chicago Teachers!

HEALTH CARE

MPR has a story out on the controversial new Community Paramedic certification program impacting rural Minnesota, and the coverage includes MNA’s take on the situation.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 12, 2012: Chicago Teachers Strike Enters Day 3; Community Paramedic Ranks Growing in MN  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

 

Across the United States, we remember September 11.

LABOR

The Chicago Teachers Strike has become the biggest Labor-related story of 2012, and enters its second day in the Windy City.

A group of 325 Nurses in Kansas City represented by National Nurses United will vote this week whether or not to ratify a new contract offer that restructures wages and institutes stricter staffing levels.

HEALTH CARE

Why does your vote matter this fall? Consider the impact your choice can have on health care for children in the United States:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/a8SiheO7XlQ]
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 11, 2012: Never Forget; Chicago Teachers Strike Continues; KC RNs to Vote  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Right to Work

LABOR

Chicago teachers went on strike Monday for the first time in 25 years after their union and district officials failed to reach a contract agreement despite intense weekend negotiations that the union said were productive but still failed to adequately address issues such as job security and teacher evaluations.

One Teacher’s Story: A Chicago teacher explains in a powerful, personal blog post why he’s going on strike.

The United Steelworkers have announced a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with ArcelorMittal USA covering 14,000 workers, including 330 at the Minorca Mine outside Virginia, Minn.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, Sept. 10, 2012: Chicago Teachers on Strike; HMOs in MN again see strong profits  »