Minnesota nurses return to work following one-day strike, some locked out
Minneapolis, MN – The one-day strike of 12,000 members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) concluded at 7:00 a.m., June 11.
The MNA reports that some Twin Cities hospitals illegally locked out nurses by not following language in the labor contract regarding how nurses are supposed to be called back to work. The MNA has filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board.
Among the hospitals involved in the illegal lockouts are Abbott Northwestern, which locked out at least 60 RNs, Children’s of Minneapolis, which locked out at least 12 RNs, Children’s of Saint Paul, with 20 lockouts and United Hospital, which illegally locked out at least 30 RNs.
The MNA is continuing the struggle for a decent contract. Key outstanding issues include staffing levels that insure patient safety and pensions.
The one-day strike got strong backing from the labor movement and the public.
On the picket line, Robert Kasper, president of the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation told Fight Back!, “On behalf of the 50,000 union members and the 120 labor unions, we are proud to stand behind the Minnesota Nurses Association. [This strike] has been long overdue. Nurses need better working conditions. The public is behind the nurses. The world will be watching this strike, the country will be watching this strike and the unions will be watching this strike and the outcome.”