Updated: December 6, 2022
Children’s Minnesota reached tentative agreement with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)
Children’s Minnesota is grateful to have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). As a condition of the agreement, the union has withdrawn its strike notice, and the work stoppage that was set to begin on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, will not take place. The union must still ratify the deal. A vote is expected to happen during the week of Dec. 6, 2022. The union’s bargaining team is unanimously, favorably recommending this contract for ratification.
Thanks to the tireless work of our negotiation team and countless others, patients and families across our region can rest assured that our kid experts will be there to care for the most vulnerable children in our community. We value the dedication of our nurses and countless other staff for the vital roles they each play in caring for our patient families.
On Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) notified several health systems throughout the state, including Children’s Minnesota, that they intend to go on strike starting Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 a.m. until Saturday, Dec. 31, at 7 a.m.
We are deeply alarmed about the timing of this decision. We are experiencing a historic respiratory surge, which includes RSV and flu. Sick kids are coming into our hospitals and clinics in massive numbers. This is leading to full hospitals and intensive care units. We have long wait times in our emergency departments and clinics. We know this is challenging. We are doing everything we can to help kids get healthy. Keeping them healthy will be complicated if our nurses walk off the job and away from your children.
Our MNA-represented nurses would be walking off the job at a time when our patients are at their most vulnerable. If a strike were to take place, some critical units at Children’s Minnesota will have to close due to the staffing shortage. This includes our inpatient mental health unit. Dozens of patients in our ICUs would possibly be transferred to another state, separated from their families over the holidays. A strike at this time would risk the health of our patients.
Children’s Minnesota continues to negotiate with the MNA in hopes to find a resolution as soon as possible and avoid this potential strike.
You can read more about the bargain here.
webteam