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MNA Negotiations Update April 21, 2016

April 21, 2016:  Negotiation Update

MNA REQUESTS TO CALL IN A MEDIATOR, ALLINA HEALTH AGREES

Allina Health started out today by indicating that they did not have responses to any of Minnesota Nurses Association proposals. They did not give any time or date that they might respond to our proposals. We asked if management had any questions about our proposals. They said they had no questions and no response.
 
In order to keep working hard to address our issues, your MNA Negotiating Committee has asked Allina Health to agree to request the assistance of a Federal Mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.  MNA is extremely concerned that Allina Health would only agree to start bargaining in mid-April and only schedule six meetings prior to the expiration of the contracts. We questioned whether this was a rush to the end.
 
Late in the day (six hours after management said they didn’t have any response) management provided a very limited response and told us that they had the response prepared earlier in the day. Each of the subsequent proposals that they made later in the day were contingent on the Union accepting concessionary proposals. We asked Allina why they told us earlier in the day that they didn’t have a response or questions regarding our proposals. An Allina representative said, “We will make our proposals when we think it is appropriate. Can I move on?”

Granting of Positions:
MNA worked today in a large group and small group to try to understand Allina’s proposal to eliminate contractual protection on granting positions.
 
MNA is trying to meet the interests of Allina by having a discussion about a more efficient and transparent job posting process. 

MNA proposes:

  • A true seven (7) day posting period (168 hours) with the dates in which qualifications and seniority for internal applicants will be considered.
  • An additional seven-day posting if the position is not filled.
  • Position postings clearly identify the opening date and ending date to apply for the job.
Allina Health responded, offering:
  • An electronic posting period of 168-hours (seven 24-hour periods) and an additional seven-day period;
  • Levels of qualifications and that the qualifications must be demonstrated in the interview to be granted any posting. This sounds confusing and seems to add to the complexity in the posting process. It could create misunderstandings;
  • Require nurses to respond within 48 hours to an offer for a position. We don’t think it’s reasonable to expect nurses to check their email on days off and vacations to see if they have a job offer.
Currently, Allina Health gives nurses a reasonable amount of time to respond to a job offer.
 
Staffing:
MNA has proposed to move from the use of “hours per patient day” and matrices for patient care units to a nurse-to-patient ratio that stabilizes the number of patients a nurse cares for on a shift by shift basis. The current staffing matrices are outdated and unsafe.
 
Allina has not responded to this proposal.
 
Allina Health proposes a computerized acuity tool that distributes assignments and measures productivity. MNA is supportive of acuity tools if they assist with staffing instead of budgeting.

Scheduling:
MNA presented a number of studies that demonstrate the risk of illness to employees working shifts. Risks include diabetes, obesity, depression, sleep disorders, substance abuse, and cancer. MNA proposes that nurses are not required to work Day/Night rotations unless a nurse agrees to it.
 
Allina had a very limited response that would have required MNA to agree to another proposal management made.
 
Workplace Safety:
MNA proposes to improve training and awareness of the potential for workplace violence.
 
Allina has not responded to this proposal.

Health Insurance:
MNA has not agreed to eliminate the health plans.
 
Allina continues to propose to eliminate language in the contract on health insurance and eliminate the MNA health plans.
 
With four sessions left, we believe that we will need the assistance of a federal mediator. 
 
Next bargaining sessions:
April 28, 2016
May 3, 2016
May 10, 2016
May 17, 2016
 
We need to stand together and force Allina to take us seriously. We want a contract that works for all of us.
 
In solidarity,
MNA Negotiating Committee

About MNA:

With more than 20,000 members in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, MNA is the leading organization for registered nurses in the Midwest and is among the oldest and largest representatives of RNs for collective bargaining in the nation.  Established in 1905, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that fosters high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through legislative activity.  MNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United.

About NNU:

National Nurses United, with close to 185,000 members in every state, is the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history.

NNU was founded in 2009 unifying three of the most active, progressive organizations in the U.S.—and the major voices of unionized nurses—in the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, United American Nurses, and Massachusetts Nurses Association.
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