ST. PAUL, Minn., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the Twin Cities, 9800 RNs have overwhelmingly voted to ratify contracts in 13 different acute care facilities.
“This is a very good time to be in a union, and an especially good day for metro Registered Nurses to be part of an MNA contract,” said MNA union leader Linda Hamilton, RN.
MNA negotiating teams addressed issues in a variety of ways and each contract is unique. The following are examples of the innovations that will apply at various facilities:
9800 Registered Nurses solidly approved measures to improve patient safety.
-- Contract language now honors the specialty skills of nurses by preventing arbitrary assignments to areas for which they are not adequately oriented. -- Education reimbursements were enhanced to support the advanced and life-long learning required of skilled nursing professionals.
9800 Registered Nurses won hard-fought, well-earned incentives that will keep skilled nurses at the bedside and recruit new nurses into the profession.
-- Wages increase 5, 4 and 4% over the course of the next three years -- Existing health benefits have been preserved. -- Employer matches to retirement savings plans were enhanced in many contracts.
9800 Registered Nurses worked to make sure nurses are safe and healthy in the workplace.
-- New measures regarding safe patient handling confirm MNA’s aggressive stance toward a chronic problem facing nurses. Cumulative injuries take a toll over the course of a nurse’s career. In fact, back injuries affect more than 70% of MNA members and ultimately impact how nurses provide patient care.
Contract agreements this year build on revolutionary advancements made in 2001 and diligent actions taken over the past three years by MNA contract nurses serving on numerous committees established at MNA contract facilities.
“We are determined and unified like never before and we will continue to be vigilant and proactive as we advance nursing principles throughout the life of this contract,” said Hamilton.
Studies are providing undeniable proof that the presence of skilled nursing care directly correlates to better patient outcomes -- and improved bottom lines. The investment in nursing is well worth it now and in the future, in the face of a looming supply and demand gap projected to be 800,000 Registered Nurses nationwide by 2020.
“Through these negotiations, we believe our employers are taking good strides to embrace the contributions of nursing,” added Hamilton. “The public can count on us to keep advocating for quality patient care at the bedside, in the boardrooms and in our contracts.”
With more than 17,000 members, MNA is the leading organization for registered nurses in the Midwest and is among the oldest and largest representatives of RNs for collective bargaining in the nation. Established in 1905, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that fosters high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. MNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association and its labor arm, the United American Nurses.
Minnesota Nurses Association
CONTACT: Jan Rabbers of Minnesota Nurses Association, +1-651-646-4807,+1-800-536-4662, ext. 161, or cell, +1-612-860-6658
