Nurses are protesting the lack of appropriate staffing levels and patient safety; a proposed mandatory paid time-off structure that combines sick days and vacation time; and management’s potential ability to change a nurse’s shift on short notice. The vote authorizes nurse leaders at RRHS to call for a strike at any time. Under federal law, however, the hospital must be given at least 10 days notice of the nurses’ intent to strike.
April Klander, RN, chair of MNA’s bargaining team at RRHS, said nurses want a contract that provides for a safe work environment and staff nurse input in the delivery of nursing care and staffing levels that include acuity. The MNA represents more than 150 nurses at RRHS in hospital negotiations, which began in September.
According to a Star Tribune report, Range Regional spokesman Mitch Vincent has said the company believes it has a fair and reasonable offer on the table that addresses the union’s concerns.
Read the Minnesota Nurses Association news release on Range Regional Health Services nurses’ vote to authorize a call to strike.
Read the Star Tribune report on the nurses’ vote to strike.
Read more coverage on nursing strikes:
– University of Chicago Medical Center Nurses Vote to Strike
– Nurses at Tufts Medical Center Scheduled to Vote on Strike
– Stanford Nurses Approve Contract After Year-Long Standoff
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