Over 25,000 union nurses plan to strike in the US with June 10th 2010 as the target date. With 12,000 nurses in the Minneapolis area, approximately 13,000 at hospitals across California as part of the union, both have agreed to a 1-day “walkout” which stands to be the largest in U.S. history, according to reports.
After being at a standstill for weeks, the Minnesota Nurses Association will finally resume talks with the Twin Cities Hospital Association on June 2nd with a follow up session on June 14th along with a group of 14 hospitals aided by a federal mediator to discuss options and engage in further negotiations.
With staffing troubles and increased nurse to patient ratios on the West Coast and salary and benefits issues in the Minnesota area, each side agreed to a strike last week and decided on the proposed strike date just before the Memorial holiday weekend, according to the Associated Press. Minnesota nurses stated that filing notice of “intent to strike” on June 10th was necessary to get the hospitals to move on negotiations.
According to the Twin Cities Hospital Association website: the following announcement and listing of Questions and Answers regarding the strike has been made available to the public:
Q and A’s:
On Friday, May 28, the union representing Twin Cities nurses announced their intention to strike on Thursday, June 10 at 7 a.m. through Friday, June 11 at 7 a.m. The following provides answers to questions Twin Cities residents and patients may have about the status of negotiations and the impact of this decision.
Does this mean a strike will happen for sure?
No. The union is required to provide at least a 10-day notice of a strike, but if an agreement is reached before June 10 or if the union simply makes the choice not to strike, they do not have to strike.
Do Twin Cities Hospitals want a strike?
No. We have no interest in a strike. We value our nurses and want to keep them on the job.
Is there still time to reach an agreement?
Yes, and that’s the goal of Twin Cities Hospitals. There is enough time to reach an agreement if the union is willing to engage in serious negotiations. The fact that the nurses’ union is focusing its energies on strike planning is discouraging given that there is time to reach an agreement.
Do the hospitals have plans in place to address patient needs in the event of a strike?
Yes. All of the hospitals have comprehensive contingency plans in place to ensure patients continue to receive high-quality, safe, efficient care. These plans are developed in collaboration with medical directors, professional staff leadership, patient care managers and support staff.
For a complete listing of Q’s and A’s and a complete update on the proposed union nurses strike, please visit:
