MNA Strike: Day Three

Today marks the third and final full day of the MNA strike. For the past three days, over 15,000 nurses have gone on strike across the state. Mediations are still ongoing and everyone is still wondering, what is next? We asked Chris Rubesch, Vice President of the MNA tentative plans.

“What’s next is we go back to the table and we hopefully have constructive dialogue with management, engaging us and responding on our, our top priority, which is staffing.”

In addition, the question on everybody’s minds is, did the MNA accomplish what it set out to do? Chris continues,

“We’re hoping that this brings the parties, brings management back to the table and gets us a contract settlement. So that’ll be remain to be seen. But secondly, we really want to elevate our message to the community. And I think based on the the noise you see here, based on the community members, so many other unions, faith groups coming out to support us, I think that mission was accomplished.”

In regards to the end of the strike nearing, St. Luke’s sent this official statement:

“We will welcome our nurses back to St. Luke’s as scheduled, starting at 7 am on Thursday morning. There will not be a lockout. The next negotiation date has not been set. St. Luke’s remains willing to return to the negotiations table.”

And lastly, Essentia Health sent this official statement:

“We will welcome all our nurses back at 7 a.m., Thursday. We look forward to returning to the bargaining table because that’s where solutions occur.”