ASL/MNA Bargaining Summary - Day 4

Hello,

Today marked our fourth bargaining session with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). During the session, we heard testimonials from 2W and ICU nurses describing their experiences working specific shifts. We appreciate hearing from nurses, yet we do not believe any of the MNA’s proposals would resolve such situations. Even if a staffing ratio had been in place, it would not solve for the absence of a nurse or the presence of a patient in need.

A few key updates from today’s session include:

• Tentative Agreement Reached: We signed a tentative agreement (TA) on the article related to Seniority, a positive step forward in our negotiations.
• Economic Proposal: The MNA finally presented its economic package. The proposal is complex and substantial and will require more time to review than could be achieved this afternoon. We appreciate your patience as we work through the details.
• Staffing Proposal: Aspirus St. Luke’s takes all proposals seriously, but staffing ratios simply will not work here because they lack flexibility. The Nursing Staffing Effectiveness Pathway that I shared previously in a bargaining session and in a video, considers all these things – as do the current grids.
• Patient Placement Nurses: We received an updated Patient Placement nurse proposal. The proposal presented by MNA has inconsistencies and, in several instances, apparently seeks to provide greater benefits to Patient Placement nurses than the rest of the bargaining unit. Because the proposal includes language on being a closed unit, it would have a negative impact on staffing and would prevent colleagues from helping when needed – even as helping hands.

We remain committed to negotiating transparently and in good faith, and the MNA’s assertion that our team “hasn’t been agreeing to more bargaining dates” is simply untrue. We raised the issue today and offered June 26 as another bargaining date before the existing agreement expires. The MNA would not commit.  

It is discouraging to hear of the upcoming strike authorization vote, as we only received the full economic proposal today. We are taking the MNA proposals seriously. Our position on staffing ratios will not change. A strike will only divert money and resources to replacement staff, and away from our patients, employees and community.  

We remain committed to productive dialogue and meaningful progress as we work toward a fair and sustainable agreement.

As of now, our last bargaining session is scheduled for June 18.

Sincerely,

Theresa Hannu, CNO

and the Negotiating Team

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