Nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth lined the hallways to demand management fix ongoing staffing issues.
Minnesota Nursing Accent
Minnesota Nurses Association
345 Randolph Avenue, Ste. 200
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-414-2800/800-536-4662
WINTER 2024
PUBLISHER
Elaina Hane
MANAGING EDITORS
Lauren C. Bloomquist
Chris Reinke
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Rubesch, RN, President
Shiori Konda-Muhammad, RN, 1st Vice President
Melisa Koll, RN, 2nd Vice President
Becky Nelson, RN, Secretary
Jill Lebrun, RN, Treasurer
Directors
Tamra Andersen, RN
Kevin Hawn, RN
Alexia Hitchings, RN
Brittany Livaccari, RN
Meghan Matteson, RN
Sydney Pederson, RN
Kristy Ricks, RN
Michelle Sorensen, RN
Venessa Soldo-Jones, RN
Jayme Wicklund, RN
Bernadine Engeldorf, RN
Daniel Clute, RN
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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AS THE CLOCK KEEPS TICKING…
252. That’s my number. No it’s not the number of cups of coffee I drink in a week, or the number of emails in my inbox. It’s the number of days before my Bargaining Unit’s contract expires at the time I’m writing this. I have it written down on a scratch pad on the desk in my home office and I keep it updated every time I sit down. For some of you, your number might be a little less than that or a little more but as leaders in our Union we should all know our number.
But that number is more than just a date on a calendar. It’s a reminder of the work we have before us. A touchstone to look to and remind us of the bigger picture. Every day, as I approach my job as our President, I think about my work not as isolated tasks but as part of a broader plan to make us ready for the challenges ahead - step by step.
Every opportunity I have to talk to a member is an opportunity to engage a new leader with our work and build our power. Every time I meet with a legislator is an opportunity to educate a decision maker on the realities of corporate healthcare and build an ally. Every time I join our fellow Union siblings in the AFL-CIO is an opportunity to build relationships and expand our collaboration within the labor movement.
As the clock keeps ticking I would encourage you to think about the work you do and how it relates to making your Bargaining Unit stronger and more organized. Is the work you are doing moving you towards your goals? Is where you are focusing your time helping build member engage-
ment and power? Are the things we are doing welcoming more members to join us?
If each of us does just one thing a week that moves us towards our goal of building a more educated, engaged, and empowered Union we can all be ready for our time at the negotiating table. We can do this together!
Chris Rubesch, RN, MNA President
President’s Column
Executive Director’s Column
MAKING CHANGE
I shared a story at our 2024 MNA Convention last month from my early days as a pediatric bedside nurse because it highlights some of my values. The story was about a medication error I had made. At that moment, I had a decision to make. I could ignore it because the patient and I were lucky that there was no harm to them, but I knew that wasn’t right. I had to take responsibility, call the doctor, and inform the patient’s parents. It was a test of my leadership, and I was determined to handle it with grace and accountability.
I couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t come forward. This experience showed me that leadership is about integrity and owning our choices. We are where we are today because of the choices we made yesterday, the day before, and the day before that. Think about why you became a member of your union, the Minnesota Nurses Association. Why did you get involved? Think about what choice led you to be involved and engaged in your union. Did you know that the most common reason people don’t get involved is because nobody asked them?
One of my very favorite quotes is from Gandhi, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Making change. That’s my why. That is why I left the bedside and joined the MNA staff in 2019. I have seen firsthand the power of organizing, especially during the 2022 strike. That strike is still the largest pri-
vate-sector nursing strike in U.S. history when 15,000 nurses didn’t take “no” for an answer. That’s what power looks like. That’s what making change looks like. That’s what choosing to be involved and working together looks like.
One of the most influential ways to get involved in your union, make change, and build power is to become a CAT (Communication Action Team) member. As a CAT, you will engage your co-workers with whom you are already in contact and keep them informed about what is happening in your bargaining unit. I began my MNA journey as a steward, chair, and negotiating team member within my bargaining unit. As your interest grows, you will find volunteer opportunities in the various committees, commissions, or the Board of Directors. Everyone is welcome to attend any of these meetings as they are posted on the Member Center, and you can learn more about what they do.
Here is the truth: we cannot do this work alone. It’s not enough to think your steward or chair will take care of whatever happens. That’s how we lose. We must choose to work together. Who could you invite to join you in this work?
And remember: when we fight as one, we win!
Elaina Hane, RN, MNA Executive Director
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Board of Directors
Wednesday, December 11
Wednesday, January 15 Wednesday, February 19
Commission on Governmental Affairs (GAC)
Wednesday, January 8, 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 1-4 p.m.
Commission on Nursing Practice and Education
Fri., Dec. 20, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m CARn
Tue., Dec. 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
Racial Diversity Committee Leadership Meetings
Monday, December 16, 4-6 p.m.
Monday, January 20, 4-6 p.m. Monday, February 17, 4-6 p.m.
Racial Diversity Committee General Membership Meetings
Tuesday, December 10, 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, February 11. 4-6 p.m.
MNA Foundation (MNAF) Wednesday, January 22, 9-11 a.m.
News & Updates
MNA NURSE NEWS
MNA announces appointment of new Executive Director
The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) Board of Directors has named Elaina Hane, RN, the new Executive Director. Elaina Hane brings over five years of experience in the labor industry, previously serving as an MNA Labor Relations Specialist, MNA’s Manager of Governance and Policy, MNA’s Manager of Field Operations, and most recently the Interim Executive Director position to which she was appointed in January of this year.
New report highlights consequences of Allina Health’s financial ties compromising its mission, business, and patient care
In September, MNA released a new report on how Allina Health’s ties to financial parties have comprised the healthcare giant’s mission, business, and patient care. The 23-page report includes a review of the two interconnected players influencing patient care, Allina Health System and Piper Sandler; studies the growing corporate influence in local healthcare at Allina; and analyzes how the profit-driven approach of executives has failed in large part.
MNA Nurses’ Statement on layoff of Allina nurses at Owatonna Hospital
“Nurses are very concerned about the recent announcement from Allina Health that they will be laying off nurses at Owatonna Hospital in the OR and Ambulatory Surgery units. We are particularly concerned by the role the
Mayo Clinic is playing in this decision and the impact it will have on the Owatonna community…”
Read more nurse news at mnnurses. org/news/press-releases or scan the QR code.
MNA New Staff & Staff Transitions
Dan Lichtenstein Boris, Researcher. Dan previously worked with the Illinois Nurses Association as a Research Consultant and at SEIU as the Research Director. He has a Masters in Public Health from the University of California and studied strategic corporate research at Cornell University.
Krista Lehan, Labor Relations Specialist. Krista joins MNA with an extensive labor background. She most recently worked with the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Care Professionals. Prior to that, Krista was a rank-and-file member of the union as a healthcare professional.
Darius Smith, Labor Relations Specialist. Darius previously worked with
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW in Seattle and before that with unions in Chicago, IL. He brings with him experience in equity and inclusion policies, contract negotiations, and campaign strategies. Lisa Sanford, RN, Nursing Practice & Education Manager. Lisa is transitioning from the position of Labor Relations Specialist to Nursing Practice & Education Manager.
Erin Moriarty, Digital Communications Specialist. Erin brings 10 years of digital communications experience working for the Minnesota Judicial branch.
Sara Feinberg, Organizing Administrative Assistant. Sara brings over seven years of experience at Hennepin County as a Customer Service Specialist.
Laurie Laker, Lead Communications Specialist. Laurie brings over 10 years of experience in communications, strategy and storytelling to MNA.
Frances Boyes, Labor Relations Specialist. Frances brings extensive knowledge and experience of working within the labor movement. Her past experiences include working with organizations like the National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), UNITE HERE, and SEIU.
Bargaining and Collective Action Updates
NEW CONTRACT AGREEMENTS
Nurses at Winona Health ratify contract
In mid-August, nurses at Winona Health in Winona, MN unanimously ratified their contract. Contract wins included wage increases of 5% in the first year, and 3% in both the second and third years of the contract. Nurses also received increases in charge and call pay as well as an increase to tuition reimbursement. The bargaining unit also successfully fought off a reduction of PTO and the elimination of the bereavement leave policy from their contract.
Sanford Bagley nurses ratify contract
Nurses working at Sanford Bagley ratified their latest contract in late September. Highlights of the new contract include a weighted average of 16% wage increase in year one and a 3% wage increase in year two; increases to on-call pay and charge pay; increased Education Reimbursement; and a contract expiration date aligning with Sanford Bemidji.
Contract Ratification at Montevideo
Nurses at CCM Health Hospital in Montevideo ratified their contract in mid-October. Key wins in the agreement include a 17% across the board wage increase over the 3 years of the contract; 11 additional steps; charge,
preceptor and differential pay increases; an increase in certification bonus; expanded Christmas holiday hours; and more. The Surgical Services nurses achieved major additional wins, having standby call eliminated for the practice of calling off-premises nurses to on-premises on-call for procedures like vaginal births after C-Sections (V-BACS) has ended. Now, if a nurse is called to work from off-premises, they receive the appropriate hourly nurse wage. Surgical Services nurses will also receive time and a half when called in, rather than straight pay. Several non-economic wins included added hours of education for safety and workplace violence training; modified sick leave language to recognize the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time and other legislation; a nurse who resigns with less than 30-days’ notice will not forfeit accrued leave payout if they are unable to provide the required notice due to circumstances beyond the nurse’s control; paid time for the union to meet with new employees and more.
NEW ORGANIZING WINS
St. Luke’s Patient Placement nurses join MNA
In early November, registered nurses within the Aspirus St. Luke’s Patient Placement department voted overwhelmingly to join the existing MNA Bargaining unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. They are unionizing to have a voice in their workplace, to address the uncertainty created by the merger and within their unit, and because they believe in the union difference.
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS & EVENTS
Duluth nurses line the halls for safe staffing
Dozens of MNA nurses at Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth lined the halls in October to tell management that they expect them to respect the grid process and to come to the staffing plan review with staffing numbers that plan for the future!
MNA Happenings
NNU celebrates newly seated Council of Presidents
National Nurses United (NNU) has welcomed its newly seated Council of Presidents to their offices for the 2024-2027 term. The new leaders were seated at NNU’s 15th Anniversary Convention in September, which commemorated the visionary union leadership of nurses and NNU’s foundation in 2009.
Nurses
attend DFL Founder’s
Day Dinner
MNA nurses were invited to attend the annual DFL Founder’s Day Dinner in late October. Nurses were able to network with colleagues and continue building relationships with elected officials who can help pass pro-nurse and pro-patient legislation in Minnesota.
MNA nurses walk for mental health at NAMIwalks
MNA nurses walked for mental health at NAMIwalks in late September. Several MNA nurses also tabled at the event to talk to patients and community members about how nurses advocate for their patients and for improved mental healthcare in Minnesota.
NNU Co-President Mary Turner presents at APHA Annual Meeting
NNU Co-President Mary C. Turner, RN, attended the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting and Expo at the end of November. Pictured here with fellow NNU Co-President Jaime Brown from Michigan Nurses Association, Mary presented at two sessions throughout the event: Women in the Workforce: Championing Equity and Leadership for Women, and Organizing to Counter Attacks on Public and Earn Community Trust in Science.
Nurses speak out outside of executives’ Heartland Summit conference
On Thursday, September 26, MNA nurses gathered in downtown Minneapolis outside of the Piper Sandler Heartland Summit conference to call attention to the consequences of executives’ financial ties in our Minnesota hospitals.
MNA also announced the release of a new report-Code Blue: How Allina Health’s Financial Ties Compromised Its Mission, Patient Care and Business.
MNA’s Strike Ready Calculator
Be prepared in the event of a strike!
Each time we negotiate a new contract, we must be ready for the possibility of a ULP strike. We always bargain in good faith and strive to reach an agreement that recognizes the value nurses provide without having to take the step of going on strike, but sometimes healthcare executives leave us no choice. There’s always a chance that we could go on a ULP strike during contract negotiations. We can’t leave your finances up to chance— we must be prepared if a ULP strike is needed by saving money and working with creditors. No matter the length of a ULP strike, you’ll want to be prepared and able to cover any of your regular expenses until it ends.
The ULP Strike Ready Calculator is designed to help you calculate how much you’ll need to save in advance in case you’re out of work. Simply fill out the boxes with your relevant expenses and the calculator will do the rest. Then, plan and start saving!
In addition to this valuable tool, you’ll want to reach out to creditors like your mortgage company, landlord, local utility company, and credit card company to find out how expenses can be deferred. Companies will often work with you if you call in advance – they want you as a long-term customer as much as they want any one payment from you.
Scan the QR code or visit mnnurses.org/calculator to use the Strike Ready Calculator.
2024 MNA CONVENTION RECAP
The 2024 MNA Convention was held October 5-8 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where delegates gathered to discuss and debate the future of their union. Due to the amount of business needed to be done in the House of Delegates, this year’s Convention began early, with Opening Ceremonies kicking off the Convention on Saturday afternoon.
MNA member Nancy Feist, RN, performed on the bagpipes to kick off the ceremony before MNA President Chris Rubesch, RN, gave his first opening address to delegates. Following his speech, President Rubesch introduced a series of guest speakers. Delegates were joined by MNA Executive Director
Elaina Hane, RN; NNU Co-President Mary C. Turner, RN; and Minnesota House Representative Emma Greenman. The final speaker of the day was our 2024 Keynote Speaker Eric Bauer from the Massachusetts Nurses Association. He shared about the ways that trauma could fracture and weaken unions and led the audience in a presentation on ways to effectively build up and strengthen a union.
Then, it was time for delegates to get down to business and begin discussion and debate over proposed Bylaws Amendments, Resolutions and Main Motions. A summary of the House of Delegates’ Actions are included below. Throughout the Convention weekend, MNA members also sat in on the State of the Union forum, enjoyed bingo night, attended a legislative briefing by the Governmental Affairs Commission, took part in tabling for MNA’s various Committees and Commissions, and bid on items at the Silent Auction with all proceeds going to MNA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Summary of House of Delegates Actions
Bylaws Amendments, Resolutions, & Main Motions
Bylaws Amendment A1 Adopted as amended
BOD Policy Charges and Conflict Resolution changed to HOD Policy with revisions –Amended Section C.10 – final decision based on a 2/3 vote.
Conforming A1a – Art IV Sect 6 Nom & Elections – Removal of Elected Officials
Conforming A1b – Art VI Sect 4 BOD Responsibilities
Conforming A1c – Art VI Sect 8 Disciplinary Action
Conforming A1d – Art VII NEW – Internal Conflict Resolution
Conforming A1e – Art XVIII Complaint Procedure & Exhaustion of Remedies
Bylaws Amendment A2 Failed
Art II Sect 3C Member Classification – Adding new Retired Classification
Conforming A2a – Art IV Sect 3 Elections
Conforming A2b – Art IV Sect 4 Terms of Office
Bylaws Amendment A3 Failed Art IV Sect 1A Nom & Elections – Composition
Bylaws Amendment A4 Failed
Art V Sect 3A, C&D HOD Apportionment & Election
Bylaws Amendment A5 Failed
Art VII Sect 6 GAC Membership
Bylaws Amendment A6 Failed
Art VII Sect 6 GAC Membership
Bylaws Amendment A7 Failed
Art III Sect 2 Dues – Dues Categories
Bylaws Amendment A8 Adopted
Art IV Sect 1B4 Nom & Elections – Responsibilities & Functions
Bylaws Amendment A9 Adopted
Art IV Sect 3B Nom & Elections – Elections Timeframe
Bylaws Amendment A10 Adopted
Art VI Sect 5A BOD Composition Non-RN
Bylaws Amendment A11 Adopted
Art VI Sect 5A BOD Composition Public Sector
Bylaws Amendment A12 Adopted
Art VIII Sect 5 Bylaws Committee Proviso to A12: HOD Policy; Review of Resolutions and Main Motions
Bylaws Amendment A13 Failed
Art X Sect 1 CARn Objective Report to BOD
Bylaws Amendment A14 Failed
Main Motion M1, M2, M3, M4 Adopted
Motion to change Ownership from Board of Directors to Committee on Elections: Campaign Policies for Elections Campaigning at Convention Election Procedures & Timeline Observer Requirements
Main Motion M5
Elected Leaders & MNA Staff Roles
Main Motion M6
House Policy: (New) Delegate & Alternate Delegate Communications Proviso to M6:Art V Sect 6 House of Delegates
Main Motion M7
House Policy: (New) MNA Code of Conduct
Main Motion M8
House Policy: (New) Operational Transparency
Main Motion M9
House Policy: (New) Signatory Requirements of BU Agreements
Resolution R1: AI Justice in Nursing and Healthcare
Resolution R2: Reproductive Justice and the MNA Endorsement
Resolution R3: Solidarity with Palestine
2024 MNA HONORS & AWARDS
Each year we recognize our fellow nurses and friends in their accomplishments with our annual MNA Honors & Awards. The 2024 Honors & Awards Recognition Banquet took place during MNA’s Convention in October of this year. The following were this year’s honorees:
Public Official Award: Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando
The Public Official Award honors a local or state public official who, through involvement in policymaking, has placed a high priority on influencing policy that assists MNA in reaching its goals.
Paul and Sheila Wellstone Social Justice Award: Rose Roach
The Social Justice Award honors the nurse, elected official, or community leader who demonstrates a lifetime achievement of working to better the lives of others by increasing their access to quality healthcare.
Sarah Tarleton Colvin Political Activist Award: St. Alexius
Bargaining Unit
The Sarah Tarleton Colvin Political Activist Award honors a nurse or a group of nurses who are role models for nurses because of activities above and beyond those of the general nursing community, further the political presence of nursing, and accomplish public policy changes that benefit the nursing profession.
Mentorship in Nursing Award: Christopher Baga, RN, BSN
The Mentorship in Nursing Award goes to a member who has shown leadership through mentoring that models values, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with those of our profession, helping nurses reach their full potential.
Ruth L. Hass Excellence in Practice Award: Trudy Renneke, RN, BSN and Wayne Garrett, RN, PMH-BC
The Ruth L. Hass Excellence in Practice Award goes to nurses who have demonstrated expert knowledge and practice in their clinical area of nursing and are recognized by peers as role models of sustained, high-quality nursing practice.
Audrey Logsdon/Geraldine Wedel Award: Janelle Johnson Thiele, RN and Jeremy Olson-Ehlert, RN
The Audrey Logsdon/Geraldine Wedel award honors nurses who have made significant contributions to nurses and the nursing practice through collective bargaining activities.
Elizabeth Shogren Health & Safety Award: Candy Matzke, RN, BC
The Elizabeth Shogren Health & Safety Award honors the nurse or nurses who have made sustained and substantial contributions to the health, safety, and well-being of the nursing community in which they work.
Nurse Educator Award: Sara McCumber, DNP, APRN, CNP, CNS
The Nurse Educator Award honors the nurse educatorwhohasdemonstratedexpertisein teaching nursing and is recognized by peers as a role model of sustained, consistent, high-quality teaching.
Creative Nursing Award: Zalei Lewis, RN
Distinguished Service Award: Megan Joyce, RN, and Venessa Soldo-Jones, RN
The Distinguished Service Award honors a nurse who makes significant contributions to the health and well-being of the community where he or she lives and works.
TheCreativeNursingAwardhonorsthenurse or nurses who recognized a special healthcare need and developed a new and/or creativeapproachthatimprovesthequalityof healthcareforanidentifiedpopulation.
ThePresident’sAwardhonorsmemberswho have made sustained and substantial contributions to MNA through active participationinorganizationalactivities.
Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF)
MNA Foundation Scholarship Wrap Up
The 2024 MNA Honors and Awards Ceremony and Banquet was held Sunday evening of the MNA Convention, where the winners of the MNA Foundation’s 2024 scholarships were announced. The MNAF provides thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants to members and students every year to support nursing research and education. The scholarships provide excellent opportunities to advance the nursing profession and we encourage everyone to take a look and see if there’s an opportunity for you or someone you know.
This year, the Foundation awarded $188,000 in scholarships to MNA members seeking additional education, to children, dependents, and grandchildren of MNA members. Please visit https://mnnurses.org/re-
sources/mnaf/ for more information and spread the word about the scholarships to members.
A list of scholarship recipients are as follows:
• Gabriella Trujillo, recipient of the Mary Eliza Mahoney Scholarship
• Alisa Tomette, recipient of the Associate Member Scholarship
• Bethany Halloran, recipient of the Cynthia Hunt-Lines Scholarship
• Priyanka Roy, recipient of the Janky Foundation Scholarship
Recipients of the Rose Dhein Scholarship:
• Lindsey Gee
• Katie Murray
• Kelsey Peterson
• Emily Shaughnessy
Recipients of the Sarah Colvin Scholarship:
• Sarah Evans
• Katherine Herrmann
• Samantha Privratsky
Recipients of the MNAF Baccalaureate Scholarship:
• Renas Amedy
• Tenzin Jepe
• Andrew Johansson
• Karey Johnson
• Meghan Stearns
• Sophia Walz
• Kymberli Wiechman
Recipients of the MNAF Graduate Degree Scholarship:
• Elvin Achenchi
• Ciara Arndt
• Sydney Bair
• Sally Biederstedt
• Sheilah Bosompem
• Bronwyn Boyce-Erickson
• Lauren Breemeersch
• Joy Bridewell
• Marion Charlie
• Geri Domeier
• Iniobong Eyoh
• Taiwo Fapohunda
• Kiley Fetherston
• Hamdi Hasan
• Alexis Lehner
• Taylor May
• Nicole Melich
• Zeddy Mobagi
• Othman Mohamed
• Jairo Molina
• Azieta Nejati-Namin
• Chidinma Nwanekpe
• Margaret Orrell
• Grace Overend
• Steven Pfarr
• Andrea Polzin
• Sydney Poshusta
• Hannah Prokosch
• Daniel Rabura
• Rosalina Reinharz
• Shamera Samuel
• Sarah Silver
• Heather Stewart
• Ah Thao-Vang
• Chonhanh Vuvan
• Ashley Willette Recipients of the Legacy Scholarship for children, grandchildren, or dependents of MNA Members:
• Zaki Adwan
• Roman Amini
• Grace Ballard
• Carter Brown
• Drew Bryan
• Valeria Bureac
• Taylor Busho
• Roman Cassells
• Ethan Do
• Baylee Edwards
• Frida Eiane
• Makayla Everson
• Claire Foner
• EllyAnna Foner
• Paul Foner
• Camille Fong
• Tyler Gross
• Yvette Higgins
• Angel Holm
• Grace Hubbell
• Karlie Johnson
• Hayden Kvalevog
• Olivia Larson
• Aba Moges
• Erik Oase
• Will Olson
• Kylie Pesik
• Julian Schwendeman
• Adele Songalia
• Abby Taylor
• Rowan Ungerman
• Rohit Wilson
• Rheana Hope Zerna
Sign up for Day on the Hill
MNA’s 2025 Nurses Day on the Hill will be Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in St. Paul. What can you expect at Day on the Hill?
• Opportunities to talk to your own elected officials about safe staffing and other nurse, patient and healthcare issues
• Time to network with fellow MNA nurses
• Education and background on current and past MNA legislation
• Special guest speakers
• And so much more! Visit mnnurses.orgDOTH2025 to sign up. Please note, you’ll need to sign in to the MNA Member Center to do so. You can also scan the QR code below to sign up.
2024 Elections Results
With Election Day behind us, we’re looking forward to working with our newly elected officials on nurse and patient issues like safe staffing, workplace protections, and other legislation that will prioritize patients and healthcare workers.
We’d like to congratulate all our MNA nurse-endorsed candidates who won their elections. You can find a list of all our elected endorsed candidates below. It’s now time to continue building our relationships with our newly elected officials. Are you ready to have important conversations with your elected officials about nurse and patient issues? If so, email MNA Political Organizer Cameron Fure at cameron. fure@mnnurses.org
Minnesota Local RacesEndorsed Elected Candidates
Jeff Lunde –Hennepin County Commissioner District 1
Debbie Goettel –Hennepin County Commissioner District 5
Heather Edelson –Hennepin County Commissioner District 6
Kevin Anderson –Hennepin County Commissioner District 7
Minnesota Senate RaceEndorsed Elected Candidate
Ann Johnson Stewart, SD45
Minnesota House RacesEndorsed Elected Candidates
Pete Johnson, 08A
Liish Kozlowski, 08B
Luke Frederick, 18B
Tina Liebling, 24B
Kim Hicks, 25A
Andy Smith, 25B
Matt Norris, 32B
Josiah Hill, 33B
Melissa Hortman, 34B
Zack Stephenson, 35A
Kari Rehrauer, 35B
Brion Curran, 36B
Kristin Bahner, 37B
Huldah Hiltsley, 38A
Samantha Vang, 38B
Erin Koegel, 39A
Sandra Feist, 39B
Curtis Johnson, 40B
Ned Carroll, 42A
Ginny Klevorn, 42B
Cedrick Frazier, 43A
Mike Freiberg, 43B
Peter Fischer, 44A
Patty Acomb, 45B
Larry Kraft, 46A
Cheryl Youakim, 46B
Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, 47A
Ethan Cha, 47B
Lucy Rehm, 48B
Alex Falconer, 49A
Karlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, 49B
Julia Greene, 50A
Steve Elkins, 50B
Michael Howard, 51A
Nathan Coulter, 51B
Liz Reyer, 52B
Bianca Virnig, 52B
Mary Frances Clardy, 53A
Rick Hansen, 53B
Jess Hanson, 55A
Kaela Berg, 55B
Robert Bierman, 56A
John Huot, 56B
Kristi Pursell, 58A
Fue Lee, 59A
Esther Agbaje, 59B
Sydney Jordan, 60A
Mohamud Noor, 60B
Katie Jones, 61A
Jamie Long, 61B
Samantha Sencer-Mura, 63A
Emma Greenman, 63B
Kaohly Her, 64A
Dave Pinto, 64B
Samakab Hussein, 65A
Maria Isa Perez, 65B
Leigh Finke, 66A
Athena Hollins, 66B
Liz Lee, 67A
Jay Xiong, 67B
*The results for MNA endorsed candidate Brad Tabke in HD54A will be announced upon completion of a recount.
MNA Visions, Values, and Strategic Pathways
MNA Mission Statement
1. Promote the professional, economic, and personal well-being of nurses.
2. Uphold and advance excellence, integrity, and autonomy in the practice of nursing.
3. Advocate for quality care that is accessible and affordable for all.
Purpose
The purpose of the Minnesota Nurses Association, a union of professional nurses with unrestricted RN membership, shall be to advance the professional, economic, and general well-being of nurses and to promote the health and well-being of the public. These purposes shall be unrestricted by considerations of age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity, health status, lifestyle, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
MNA Vision and Values
MNA is a positive, powerful union of professional direct patient care nurses that advances nursing practice, effective, safe staffing and working conditions, patient interests and works to build a healthy community, empowered profession, and fair and just society along the principles of the Main Street Contract:
• Jobs at living wages
• Guaranteed healthcare
• A secure retirement
• Equal access to quality education
• A safe and clean environment
• Good housing
• Protection from hunger
• Human rights for all
• An end to discrimination
• A just taxation system where corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share
In practice, this means:
1. MNA empowers registered nurses to use their collective strength, knowledge, and experience to advance and enhance safe and professional nursing practice, nursing leadership, and the community health and well-being.
2. MNA promotes effective RN staffing and safe working conditions for both patients and registered nurses in direct patient care, in policy and political arenas, and in our communities.
3. MNA builds its power as a union of professional nurses by increasing its membership and exercises that power through effective internal and external organizing, and member participation, activism, education, and mobilization.
4. MNA actively promotes social, economic and racial justice and the health, security, and well-being of all in its organizational programs and collaborations with partner organizations.
5. MNA works in solidarity with the National Nurses United and the AFL-CIO to build a worker movement that promotes the rights of patients, nurses, and workers across the United States.
Strategic Pathways
MNA will achieve its vision through six key strategic pathways.
• Strengthen the integrity of nursing practice, nursing practice environments, and safe patient staffing standards and principles
• Oppose any attacks on nursing practice and workers’ rights, including any attempts of deskilling the professional nurse’s scope of practice and right-to-work legislation.
• Collectively bargain from strength across the upper Midwest
• Organize externally and internally to increase MNA membership and continue to increase solidarity and participation of membership locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Elect politicians who will implement nurse/worker-friendly public policy, including safe staffing and a healthcare system that includes everyone and excludes no one.
• Work in solidarity with the NNU and AFL-CIO and other community allies to advance nursing, health care and worker justice issues.
MNA Annual Notices Regarding Dues (This notice is not applicable to public sector employees or employees of employers located in right-to-work states, except employees of employers in those states who are covered by the Railway Labor Act or are situated on U.S. Government property.)
EMPLOYEES SUBJECT TO UNION SECURITY CLAUSES
As an employee working under a Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) agreement containing a union security clause, you are required, as a condition of employment, to pay dues or fees to MNA. This is the only obligation under the union security clause. You do not have to actually become a member of MNA. Individuals who are members pay dues while individuals who are non-members pay an agency fee. This fee, which is authorized by law, is your fair share of paying for the benefits of union representation that you and your co-workers receive. Non-members may file objections to paying for expenditures that are not germane to MNA’s duties as collective bargaining representative and obtain a reduction in fees for those activities. This notice contains information relevant to deciding whether to object, and the internal MNA procedures for filing objections.
Non-member fee payers give up many benefits that only MNA members receive. As a member, you will have all the benefits and privileges of membership, including the right to fully participate in the internal activities of the union, the right to attend and participate in membership meetings, the right to participate in contract ratification and strike votes, the right to vote to set or raise dues and fees, the right to nominate and elect MNA officers, and the right to run for MNA office and for convention delegate.
If you nonetheless elect to become an agency fee payer, you will be required to pay, as a condition of employment, an “agency fee” that represents a percentage of the monthly dues for reasonable and necessary costs incurred in acting as your bargaining representative. The agency fee is calculated based on those “chargeable” expenditures germane to collective bargaining activities MNA incurred during the most recently completed fiscal year. Among those expenditures germane to collective bargaining for which agency fee payers may be charged are those made for the negotiation, administration, and enforcement of the collective bargaining agreement; all expenses related to representing employees in the bargaining unit, including the investigation and processing of grievances; MNA administration; and other germane expenses. Those expenditures that are non-chargeable are identified as expenditures for activities not germane to MNA’s duty as your bargaining representative, such as expenditures for certain lobbying activities and to support political candidates. Currently, 12.84% of MNA’s expenditures are deemed to be non-chargeable expenditures. The financial information provided herewith summarizes the chargeable and non-chargeable expenses.
If you are a member and wish to resign from MNA, or if you do not want to become a member, and you object to paying dues equal to the amount customarily paid by MNA members and wish to pay agency fees instead, you must notify MNA of your choice by
sending a letter in the mail so stating to the Membership Department, Minnesota Nurses Association, 345 Randolph Avenue, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN, 55102. The letter must include your full name, mailing address, your employer’s name, your job classification, and your date of hire. In all cases, if you are thereafter employed as a new employee by another employer with a union security agreement with MNA, you must follow the above process with respect to obtaining agency fee status with your new employer.
If you submit a valid objection you will receive another copy of MNA’s calculation of representational expenditures, verified by an independent certified public accountant, and shall have their dues reduced to reflect the percentage of non-representational expenditures from the previous year. The current percentage of the reduction would be by 12.84%. This reduction in dues will commence on the first day of the month following the receipt of the objection. If you have signed a payroll deduction authorization card, MNA will instruct your employer to deduct that agency fee from your paycheck. If you have not signed a payroll deduction authorization card, you must pay the amount of the agency fee directly to MNA in a timely manner. This agency fee status will be treated as continuing in nature. Should you wish to discontinue this status, you may do so at any time by contacting MNA.
Non-member objectors have the right to challenge MNA’s calculations of representational expenditures before an impartial arbitrator. Such challenges must be made in writing, explain the basis for the challenge, and be received by MNA within 30 days of the employee receiving the calculation information. Upon receipt of a timely valid challenge, MNA will put the challenged amount of dues in an interest-bearing escrow account. If more than one non-member objector challenges the calculations, the challenges will be consolidated for hearing. The decision of the impartial arbitrator will be final and binding.
MNA fully expects that few, if any, employees it represents will avail themselves of the option of agency fee status since it firmly believes that all employees represented by MNA recognize the importance of all the expenses incurred by MNA on their behalf in the continuing struggle to improve the working conditions and job security of employees represented by MNA. While it is your legal right to be a non-member and to object to paying full dues, we believe that doing so is not in your best interest or in the interest of your co-workers.
Before choosing agency fee payer status over full member benefits of MNA membership, read this notice carefully and be aware of the benefits that you will be giving up.
Chargeable/Non-Chargeable Expense Analysis
Fees charged to non-member agency fee payers support expenditures for representational costs such as collective bargaining, contract enforcement, grievance processing, union administration, and other matters made by the Minnesota Nurses Association and National Nurses United (NNU). The chargeable portion of the National Nurses United (NNU) assessment is based on an analysis of the NNU audited expenses. Non-chargeable items include, among other things, certain lobbying costs and political activities, as well as costs related to maintaining a political action fund. Newsletter costs are non-chargeable to the extent that the content is related to a nonchargeable activity.
The financial information below summarizes the chargeable and non-chargeable expenses with corresponding percentages for each level.
MNA member dues will increase from $79.40 per month to $84.60 per month for 2025. Annual dues rates are calculated based on the change in the average starting pay of bargaining unit contracts. If the average starting pay increases, your MNA dues will increase on January 1 of each year. Dues rates for 2025 are based on the average change in starting pay rates on December 31, 2023 MNA dues rates for non-RNs will increase from $27.36-$54.72 per month to $29.44-$58.88 per month.
Bargaining unit members who work less than 832 hours per year may be eligible for reduced dues at 50 percent of the regular dues rate. Dues for registered nurse members who do not belong to an MNA bargaining unit are also 50 percent of the regular dues rates.
An Associate Membership option is available for registered nurses who are not represented by MNA for collective bargaining, who wish to have access to MNA for volunteer activities, but with no additional membership rights. Student nurses enrolled in an RN Nursing program are also eligible for Associate Membership.
The annual and monthly dues rates for the various categories of dues payers are listed below. If you have any questions related to your MNA dues, please contact the MNA office and ask for a Membership Account Specialist.
