Nurses at Essentia Health Duluth Clinic 1^st Street held a press conference on Wednesday evening to announce the organizing and filing for an election vote to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association. They officially filed an election with the National Labor Relations Board on December 5th, but an election date has yet to be determined.

Nurse representatives said that they felt the need to organize so they can address issues in their workplace. In addition, unionizing would allow them to have a voice in creating clearer and more transparent processes, procedures and policies for the clinic.

“It’s time for change at our clinic,” said Molly Swailes, Infusion RN as Essentia Health. “We feel that joining the MNA is the best path to the pay equity, dignity and respect we need in our workplace to recruit and retain nurses to care for patients in this community.”