For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – April 24, 2019 – The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nurses Association has voted to endorse Emily Larson for a second term as mayor of Duluth at their April meeting.
“Nurses are proud to support Emily Larson again,” said Mary C. Turner, president of MNA. “Nurse leaders have witnessed Larson’s continued dedication in ensuring workers are treated with dignity and respect by their employers, including advocating for labor rights, the right of people to organize, and good faith negotiations.”
Mayor Emily Larson participated in a meet and greet with Duluth nurses on April 16 to show her support for those who are entering into contract negotiations with Essentia and St. Luke’s in the upcoming weeks.
“Nurses value when elected officials show up and support nurses entering contract negotiations,” Turner said. “When elected officials like Emily Larson make the time to listen to the concerns of nurses who care for the community, we take notice. The Board of Directors was especially proud to make this endorsement in Emily Larson’s hometown of Duluth.”
MNA has supported Larson since she first ran for Mayor in 2015 and is proud to stand with her today. During her first term, Mayor Larson has prioritized leading with her values rather than politics as usual, working in partnership with the community to create change that benefits all workers.
“Mayor Larson’s values closely match the values of nurses,” Turner said. “Her support of an Earned Safe and Sick Time ordinance echoes those nurses have helped pass in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and nurses will continue to fight for this basic protection across Minnesota.”
Larson’s budget this year prioritized properly funding education and endorsement of the new Duluth Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinance that will go into effect January 2020. Nurses look forward to another four years of partnership with Mayor Larson as they continue to work towards a more inclusive Duluth, one that puts nurses, patients, and workers first.
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