A federal mediator has called both sides back to the bargaining table June 18 in an attempt to resolve the two-week old nurses' strike against Fairview Health Systems.

The Minnesota Nurses Association announced that Commissioner Jeannie Frank of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service had called the parties together. The union said it remains committed to the concerns that led to the strike - adequate staffing and quality patient care.

'Other key items are protection from increases in insurance costs eating up salary increases, meaningful rewards to encourage longevity, and adequate salaries to recruit to the profession,' said MNA spokeswoman Jan Rabbers. 'Nurses believe a settlement that would be ratified would be a blend of these items.'

While talks resume, the union is pursuing unfair labor practice charges against 'most metropolitan hospitals and many temporary staffing agencies,' it announced.

'Multiple nurses have notified MNA that they have been told by the temporary agencies where they have applied for work that metropolitan hospitals will not accept striking nurses,' the union said in a statement. 'MNA believes this is discrimination against people for exercising their legally protected rights under the National Labor Relations Act.'

The union has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board office in Minneapolis. The MNA said at least 20 nurses have faced such discrimination.

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