Hospitals say union announced strike vote prior to presenting full plans

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – Wednesday afternoon (June 11) the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) announced that they will hold an Unfair Labor Practice strike vote.

The strike vote will be on Monday, June 23.

Chris Rubesch an RN at Essentia Health and President of the Minnesota Nurses Association said in a statement, ““Given the egregious unfair labor practices taking place across all 13 hospitals, nurses have decided to take the next step and hold a ULP strike vote in protest. We have consistently come to the bargaining table in good faith and been transparent about our proposals.”  He continued, “The hospitals’ bad faith bargaining is a slap in the face to both nurses and patients. We cannot and will not accept it.”

Both Essentia and Aspirus – St. Luke’s said the MNA failed to provide full proposals to them prior to the strike vote announcement.

In a statement Aspirus – St. Luke’s said, “When a union fails to present its full proposal before calling for a strike vote, it is demonstrating a lack of intent to bargain in good faith… To date, much of the conversation has revolved around the MNA’s demand for rigid staffing ratios. Our position on ratios will not change and a strike will only serve to divert money and resources to replacement staff and away from our patients, employees and community.”

Essentia said in statement, “It’s worth noting that the MNA has scheduled a strike authorization vote before they have provided a complete proposal, including a wage proposal, for Essentia to evaluate and respond to… On the eve of the final (bargaining) session originally agreed to by the MNA, the union still has not delivered a complete proposal.  Most notably, they have not made an economic proposal, which would include wages and benefits.”