If not now, when?
The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) publicly said yesterday it is open to mediation. Allina Health offered to involve a mediator in today’s bargaining session, however, the union declined. This begs the question, if not now, when?
While there was some movement during today’s bargaining session, including the parties’ wage proposals, MNA is still demanding an unsustainable wage increase of 22.5% over three years. We value our nurses and believe that they deserve to be fairly compensated for their contributions and are now offering a 13.25% wage increase over the life of the contract, in addition to other economic benefits.
Allina Health is scheduled to negotiate with the union again on Dec. 2, yet MNA has made it clear the union’s priority is voting on a possible strike authorization. We ask the union to stop declining solutions that can bring these negotiations to a successful close. Our community does not deserve any disruptions to care, especially when we are experiencing a surge of seasonal illnesses that are creating an access-to-care crisis in our hospitals.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.