National Nurses United

J U LY | A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 7 MINNESOTA U nity and member involvement were the common threads running through recent contract settlements in Minnesota. Minnesota Nurses Association members in four bargaining units negotiated contracts they say were the result of members stand- ing up for strong agreements. Two are first contracts for new bargain- ing units and one is a first contract for coun- ty public health nurses whose agencies were combined into one. RNs at Abbott Northwestern WestHealth Emergency Department and Urgent Care in Plymouth had some tough going as they negotiated their first contract, but they held firm for a fair agreement. WestHealth opened in 2013, and RNs immediately saw the need for a union. The facility was understaffed from the beginning, and nurses were treated differently than their colleagues at the larger Abbott North- western in Minneapolis. The RNs contacted MNA, and a few months later, they voted for contract representation by MNA. Negotiat- ing with management was difficult at times, but the bargaining team and members stood together for a fair contract. "Each and every RN can feel secure that there are language and processes in place to guarantee fairness and security in our work- place," said bargaining unit co-chair Lori Filipek, RN. "With a contract, we have guar- antees. Without a contract, there are no guarantees." RNs at Sanford Bemidji Clinic ratified their first contract earlier this year after being officially recognized as part of MNA last October. Hospital RNs were already MNA members. In 2017, the hospital and clinic nurses will all bargain together for a new contract as one united group. "The new contract creates a wage scale, so raises are allocated fairly and consistently," said bargaining team member Tina Hawver, RN. "We're excited about having a contract that protects our rights and ensures we're all treated fairly," said negotiating team member Christine Sheikholeslami, RN. When public health agencies in five western Minnesota counties decided to merge, employ- ees who belonged to MNA and the American Federations of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) faced some questions about representation under the new agency. They chose to work together to ensure their members continued to have strong contracts and union representation. Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Grant counties merged their public health agencies into Horizon Public Health at the beginning of 2015. MNA and AFSCME agreed to jointly represent all of the public health employees and combine their energy to negotiate the best possible first contract for all workers. "It says a lot for MNA and AFSCME that we were willing to come together as one," said negotiating team member Jenni Olson, RN. Merging the agencies was stressful for members, but they agree that the coopera- tion between unions made the change easier and led to member unity that helped reach a fair contract. At Cloquet Community Memorial Hospi- tal, MNA RN members ratified a new contract after "cordial" negotiations. Members attribute the relatively smooth bargaining to increased member participation and communication. "More members helped with phone trees, fliers, informational meetings, and talking to each other," said bargaining team member Cheryl Schilla, RN. "We listened to members' concerns and incorporated them into proposals." "Our members were united," said bargaining team member Cheryl DeMenge, RN. "We encouraged everyone to get involved, learn the issues, and support the bargaining team." —Barb Brady Solidarity, activism win Minnesota contracts

• Cover