The voice of Saint Paul's working families since 1897
The Minnesota Nurses Association released data today showing the number of reported staffing concerns from its members doubled from 2020 to 2021, prompting union members who joined a Capitol press conference to plead for action from lawmakers and hospital administrators. “Each one of these represents multiple incidents and multiple patients who are not getting the […]
After accepting a post in United Hospital’s COVID intensive care unit, Amanda V. Peterson began writing as a form of what she calls “paper therapy.” Two years later her memoir has sold out its first press run in just three weeks.
Worker advocacy groups pledged not to be divided as they push for legislation that recognizes the sacrifices of all who showed up to work.
Sen. Erin Murphy, a registered nurse and the bill’s chief author, called the measure “a hyperlocal, hospital-by-hospital approach” to dealing with the staffing crisis.
Nurses described a snowball effect to the staffing crisis. The worse it gets, the more likely others are to leave the profession.
Nurses, janitors, educators and other essential workers spelled out exactly what they want from state lawmakers during a rally in downtown Minneapolis.
“I may not be the one who can bring all the fancy data, but what I am is the only frontline worker with eyewitness testimony,” Mary Turner said. “I’m the one who brings reality.”
“We aren’t asking for a handout,” Minnesota Nurses Association President Mary Turner said. “What we are asking for is justice.”
In informational picketing, pediatric nurses looked to raise public awareness about their fight for enough staffing and beds for patients at Children’s.
Minnesota unions are calling on state lawmakers to include crisis relief, paid leave and protections for working people in their final budget. “Working people need their lawmakers’ help,” they said in a letter to legislative leaders this week.
Union Advocate 