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NEWS BRIEFS Minnesota RNs tell boss, stop playing tricks with insurance MINNESOTA urses in Thief River Falls, Minn. spent Halloween afternoon telling the boss to stop playing tricks with people's lives. Sanford Health recently announced it would implement monstrous cuts in its insurance package, forcing nurses to pay double what they're currently expending for premiums and co-pays. The changes are simply devastating to working families. "We're on the street and hope this action will make Sanford management decide to listen to us, our families, and every employee of this hospital," said Bargaining Unit Chair Tiffany Eidelbes, RN. N Nurses were joined on an informational picket line by MNA nurses from Bagley, Bemidji, and the Twin Cities, along with other staff members from the hospital. Bargaining unit members who were on the job during the two-hour collective action made sure they spent their break time delivering apple cider and words of solidarity to their colleagues on the line. Nurses were greeted with hearty cheers and lots of honks and waves from community members driving by the picket line. On a cold day in northern Minnesota, the warmth of camaraderie steeled an already determined nurse group. "Everybody is standing together," said Eidelbes. "And we'll continue to stand up for what is right, because if we don't, nothing will change." —Jan Rabbers Aitkin RNs march on CEO for fair contract MINNESOTA n energized group of nurses confronted their boss on Nov. 12 at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minn., spurred by their determination to achieve a fair union contract. "This agreement helps us protect our patients," said Bargaining Unit Co-Chair Lynda Smith, RN. "My colleagues will use every tool available to us to advocate for our patients. With a legal contract behind us, we stand up for each other and ourselves to demand what is A 6 N AT I O N A L N U R S E right for the safety of our patients." The 48 registered nurses represented by Minnesota Nurses Association have been negotiating their contract since mid August and have another bargaining session scheduled for Nov. 8. On Oct. 5, a significant band of nurses gathered in the morning to deliver a petition to Riverwood's CEO in demonstration of the group's solidarity. "We've been unified all along," said Smith, "and this helped kick it up a notch." MNA's negotiating team will go into its Nov. 8 meeting feeling deeply supported and in a position of strength to advance professional gains and fight off management proposals aimed at diminishing workplace benefits and nursing practice protocols. "This contract is an asset to retain and recruit nurses to this community," said Smith. "We want to keep it that way so our neighbors can continue to receive the care they deserve." —Jan Rabbers W W W. N AT I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G MNA President Linda Hamilton, RN, attended a listening session in November held for labor leaders in St. Paul by Rep. Rick Nolan. She urged him to support his colleague Rep. Keith Ellison's Robin Hood Tax bill to help improve access to healthcare for thousands of Minnesotans. NOVEMBER 2013