Press Release: MNA nurses win major arbitration decision over health insurance

(St. Paul) –   September 6, 2018 – An arbitrator ruled on September 5 that Children’s Hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul violated MNA nurses’ contracts in 2017 by unilaterally requiring part-time nurses to pay high a higher percentage of health insurance premiums than full-time nurses.

“Nurses did not stand for Children’s blatant attempts to divide our membership on a critical issue like health insurance,” MNA President Mary C. Turner said. “Nurses were unfairly forced to pay higher premiums without proper notice.”

MNA nurses challenged Children’s unfair decision with grievances, Unfair Labor Practice charges, and took the issue to arbitration.

Nurses showed that the hospital violated terms of the contract; and that the policy would harm nurses who would suddenly have to pay higher premiums.

The arbitrator not only agreed with MNA nurses, but ordered Children’s to provide back pay to nurses affected by the higher premiums. The back pay could total approximately $345,000 for nearly 400 nurses.

“This arbitration award sends a clear message to hospitals that nurses will fight for our rights and not allow hospitals to get away with surprise policies that undermine our contracts,” Turner said. “Congratulations to Children’s nurses for fighting this unfair policy and standing up for nurses everywhere.”