MNA Strike: Day Two

Today was the second day of the MNA Strike, nurses rallied along the streets of St. Luke’s hospital to express their grievances. Again, nurses, supporters, families, friends, all came out to support.

“When we’re asking for many things and our first contract and one of them is the inadequate family leave that’s offered. Currently its 12, it’s unpaid. We have to use all of our time, all of our vacation time. And as a two year R.N., I haven’t seen that that much. It’s an inadequate expectation and unrealistic for most. We’re requesting four weeks paid family leave, and this could be for a newborn child,” says Tara Anderson an RN at Essentia.

Essentia Health recently sent an official statement regarding negotiations.

“Essentia Health is disappointed the MNA is focusing its efforts on a strike instead of at the bargaining table, where real solutions are found. We continue to believe that it’s imperative for both sides to exhaust our options in pursuit of a mutually beneficial agreement. One of those options, which we’ve repeatedly requested, is mediation. Unfortunately, the union has consistently declined this request.”

The official end to the 3-day strike will be early September 15th at 7:00am.