Buffalo Hospital was the only remaining Allina-owned hospital to be organized by MNA. This is the third organizing victory in as many years for MNA, following Hennepin County Medical Center (over 1,000 nurses) and Unity Hospital in Fridley (over 500 nurses). For Allina nurses this is a significant milestone. Now, the 140 Buffalo nurses will join more than 5,500 nurses employed by Allina who are members and represented by MNA.
This election was made possible through an expedited process negotiated between MNA and Buffalo Hospital known as a "Consent Election." The relationship that exists between MNA and Allina enabled MNA to negotiate an agreement allowing the election to proceed smoothly and swiftly. Among other things, Allina agreed to not challenge the status of Staff Nurses who work Charge and agreed to not seek to classify them as supervisors.
The atmosphere was "not threatening at all," said Sandra Gail, RN. In exchange, MNA organizers agreed to not disparage Allina and to convey their views about unionization in a positive and factual manner. This agreement only applied to the organizing of Registered Nurses at Buffalo Hospital.
The concerns that Buffalo nurses wanted addressed are similar to those brought by HCMC and Unity nurses. "Nurses want more say in patient care," said Jessica Anderson.
Now the Registered Nurses can participate as a collective whole with Allina in regards to their terms and conditions of employment, including a voice in the way patient care is delivered.
Numerous changes and the confusion it caused was enough for some. "We wanted a say in the changes," said Kathy Windom. Organizing is the answer thinks Deb Kosciolek, "We have to do something about this." Michelle Bunker put it simply, "I take care of my family."
What does the future hold? While MNA represents 80 percent of all acute care Registered Nurses in the metro area and 5 percent statewide, there is still a lot of work to do. Fairview U of M and Fairview Ridges, Woodwinds in Woodbury, and Regions are all non-union.
Although, other classifications of Registered Nurses at Allina facilities are eligible for unionization, Buffalo Hospital was the sole, remaining Allina facility where MNA did not represent Registered Nurses. Future organizing success will depend on the motivation of Registered Nurses to work collectively to advocate effectively for their practice, their patients and their profession. Jessica Anderson offered advice to nurses thinking about organizing, "If you are feeling upset you are probably not the only one."
Reprinted from the MNA website, www.mnnurses.org
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Buffalo Hospital was the only remaining Allina-owned hospital to be organized by MNA. This is the third organizing victory in as many years for MNA, following Hennepin County Medical Center (over 1,000 nurses) and Unity Hospital in Fridley (over 500 nurses). For Allina nurses this is a significant milestone. Now, the 140 Buffalo nurses will join more than 5,500 nurses employed by Allina who are members and represented by MNA.
This election was made possible through an expedited process negotiated between MNA and Buffalo Hospital known as a "Consent Election." The relationship that exists between MNA and Allina enabled MNA to negotiate an agreement allowing the election to proceed smoothly and swiftly. Among other things, Allina agreed to not challenge the status of Staff Nurses who work Charge and agreed to not seek to classify them as supervisors.
The atmosphere was "not threatening at all," said Sandra Gail, RN. In exchange, MNA organizers agreed to not disparage Allina and to convey their views about unionization in a positive and factual manner. This agreement only applied to the organizing of Registered Nurses at Buffalo Hospital.
The concerns that Buffalo nurses wanted addressed are similar to those brought by HCMC and Unity nurses. "Nurses want more say in patient care," said Jessica Anderson.
Now the Registered Nurses can participate as a collective whole with Allina in regards to their terms and conditions of employment, including a voice in the way patient care is delivered.
Numerous changes and the confusion it caused was enough for some. "We wanted a say in the changes," said Kathy Windom. Organizing is the answer thinks Deb Kosciolek, "We have to do something about this." Michelle Bunker put it simply, "I take care of my family."
What does the future hold? While MNA represents 80 percent of all acute care Registered Nurses in the metro area and 5 percent statewide, there is still a lot of work to do. Fairview U of M and Fairview Ridges, Woodwinds in Woodbury, and Regions are all non-union.
Although, other classifications of Registered Nurses at Allina facilities are eligible for unionization, Buffalo Hospital was the sole, remaining Allina facility where MNA did not represent Registered Nurses. Future organizing success will depend on the motivation of Registered Nurses to work collectively to advocate effectively for their practice, their patients and their profession. Jessica Anderson offered advice to nurses thinking about organizing, "If you are feeling upset you are probably not the only one."
Reprinted from the MNA website, www.mnnurses.org