Minnesota nurses voting on contract agreement

Patient Safety Monitor Alert

July 7, 2010

The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) voted yesterday on a contract agreement, reports the Star Tribune. Members of the MNA had been considering a strike beginning on July 6, 2010, but late last week an agreement was struck between the union and those hospitals involved. Nurses in the MNA voted yesterday on whether to accept the deal currently on the table, and the results of the vote are expected today. A majority of voting union members is necessary for ratification.

At the heart of the matter is nurse-patient staffing ratios, as well as pension benefits and salary increases. The current deal does not satisfy the nurse-patient staffing ratio demands previously made by the MNA. However, it does award nurses a three-year deal. During years two and three nurses will receive one and two percent salary increases respectively.