Nurses plan picketing as contract talks near critical deadline

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4459

By Michael Moore, Union Advocate editor
5 May 2010

ST. PAUL - Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” rang out over the loudspeaker of their union headquarters Tuesday morning, as Twin Cities nurses gathered to make signs they will carry on informational picket lines the union plans to stage outside hospitals across the metro area the next two weeks.
Frustrated with the lack of progress since negotiations with six Twin Cities-based hospital systems began March 16, union nurses hope their public display of solidarity will encourage their employers to take their contract demands – most of which focus on patient safety – more seriously.

If the hospital systems – Health East, Allina, Methodist, Children’s, North Memorial and Fairview – don’t get the message, though, nurses say they stand ready to strike.

“We have a fight on our hands,” said Laurie Bahr, an RN with 16 years of experience in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. “It’s frustrating because as nurses, we know how important what we’re proposing is.

“The challenge is trying to get the hospitals to look past their bottom lines.”

The nurses’ current contract will expire May 31, and the union has scheduled a vote May 19 to either ratify a new contract or authorize a strike, which could begin as soon as June 1. The nurses' actions also include a petition drive.


Melissa Buganski, an RN in the emergency room at Unity Hospital, crafts a sign for informational picketing.
Photo by Michael Moore

Patient safety first
Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have made patient safety the key issue of their contract campaign. Among their top priorities in negotiations is contract language that would require hospitals to maintain a safe level of nurse staffing.

FULL story at link.

[Brickbat]

1. I've got a good friend ready to walk this picket, and I support her 100 percent.

God forbid a hospital should have enough nurses on the floor to take care of patients. :eyes:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. more floor nurses and less desk nurses. thanks.

[annm4peace]

3. I support their strike

I will also bring some hot tea or cold depending on our crazy weather

[Earth Bound Misfit]

4. Kick N Rec for Nurses!!!!

I jus' absolutely luvs, respect, adore & SUPPORT nurses-The BACKBONE of the health care industry.

:hug:

[riverwalker]

5. We picket again on the 12th

Florence Nightengale's birthday. Come join us!!

http://mnnurses.org/news/press-releases/thousands-mn-nurses-conduct-informational-picketing-may-12


below is coverage of todays event

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ungkRwZXkG8

Look at who came to join us in solidarity today:

UNIONS

■AFSCME Council 5
■CWA State Council
■Education Minnesota
■IAM
■IBEW Local 292
■Laborers
■Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation
■Minnesota AFL-CIO
■NALC Branch 9
■National Nurses United
■Roofers Local 96
■St. Paul Regional Labor Federation
■SEIU Healthcare Minnesota
■SEIU Local 26
■St. Paul Federation of Teachers
■Teamsters/GCIU
■Teamsters Local 120
■Twin Cities Labor Chorus
■UFCW Local 789
■UNITE HERE Local 17
■Working America

ELECTEDS/CANDIDATES

■Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, MNA-Endorsed Candidate for Governor
■Mark Dayton, candidate for Governor
■Office of Congressman Keith Ellison
■Mike Freeman, Hennepin County Attorney
■Elizabeth Glidden, Minneapolis City Council Member Ward 8
■Cam Gordon, Minneapolis City Council Member Ward 2
■Brad Johnson, Anoka County Attorney Candidate
■Bobby Kasper, President St. Paul Regional Labor Federation
■Bill McCarthy, President Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation
■Jim Meffert, Congressional Candidate CD3
■Dan Powers, Congressional Candidate CD2
■Gary Schiff, Minneapolis City Council Member Ward 9
■Meg Tuthill, Minneapolis City Council Member Ward 10
And thanks to Sen. Tarryl Clark for her donation of fruit and water to the Mercy pickets, who sent her regrets because she was meeting with the Governor.