The Minnesota Nurses association is the union for nearly 13,000 nurses across the state. On June 10, 2010 nurses at more than 14 hospitals held a one day strike demanding higher nurse to patient ratios as well as no cuts to future pensions and future wage increase percentages. The striking nurses held up signs stating “Patients before Profits” and “We Care for You.” In the local media they really strove to make people understand that they were fighting for higher staffing numbers in order to provide better patient care and that the money was secondary.

On June 21st the union voted on holding a 14 day strike set to begin on July 7, 2010. The hospitals involved had arranged to hire temporary nurses from all over the country to cover for the striking union nurses. However, on July 1nd the hospitals agreed to not cut future pensions. They further agreed that next year, nurses will get no increase in wages, 1% increase the following year, and 2% increase the year after that. They would not agree to any nurse to patient ratios or increased staffing needs. The union and the hospitals agreed to a tentative 3 year contract under these negotiations. However, the contracts will only go through if they get a 51% yes vote on July 6, 2010 from the nurses who are a part of the union.

So what was the most important reason for this strike? The nurses say it was for the welfare of patients. A simple search regarding this will lead you to plenty of face book pages by nurses who are all talking about their thoughts and ideas regarding this vote. Some say, ‘we need to do what the union says, they are working for us.’ Others say, ‘no way will I vote yes. We need to fight for the patients now instead of being helpless to them for the next three years.’

To someone standing outside of this vote, it certainly seems that all the union cared about was the money, and they used the nurse to patient ratio to gain public support. As soon as they gained the monetary demands they wanted, the union was quick to settle without really fighting for patient care. I do not believe though that this should reflect badly upon Minnesota nurses. I do believe that most of those nurses would have put that issue ahead of getting their total of 3% raises over the next 3 years.

The vote today will be very telling. When they first voted on the June 10th walkout, they had an astounding 84% who agreed that a strike was necessary. Will they get their 51% later today? And if so, what does that mean? There are certainly two sides to every story, and this one is no different. While many nurses argue that the union is settling for finances over patient care, others are pleased with the contract. Those that are openly accepting the contract also believe that this is only a starting point, and that it gives Minnesota nurses, and nurses across the country, a firm ground to stand on so they can take the fight for staffing concerns to the next level.

One thing is for sure. Nurses in Minnesota have taken a firm stand for patient care. No matter what their outcome, they have brought a huge issue into the public eye. Because of this, the fight for patient care can now be fought across the U.S.A.

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