(ISSN 0023-6667) MNA voting on tentative Metro agreement ST. PAUL - The Minnesota action shows that workers can the membership to vote “yes” Nurses Association and 14 and should stand up for them- in order to formally ratify the Metro-area hospitals announ- selves and the people they settlement. If members did not ced a contract settlement July serve.” ratify the contract, then MNA 1, averting a scheduled strike. An open-ended strike had would essentially be reverting The Minnesota Nurses been scheduled to begin at 7 back to where they previously Association released the fol- a.m. Tuesday, July 6. There is were in negotiations. If mem- lowing statement: no strike date now that a tenta- bers did not ratify the settle- “The registered nurses and tive contract has been reached. ment and wanted to strike An Injury to One is an Injury to All! the hospitals believe a settle- On June 10 , 12,000 RNs instead, then MNA would have WEDNESDAY VOL. 116 ment of the labor agreement at had walked off the job for 24 to go through the whole this time is in the best interests hours in the Metro. process of taking another strike JULY 7, 2010 NO. 2 of patients and our community. MNA nurses voted yester- vote, giving another 10-day “The Minnesota Nurses day on the July 1 contract set- strike notice, etc. Association and the 14 hospi- tlement but results were not You can visit the MNA tals that have been engaged in know as this issue went to website at www.mnnurses.org negotiations since March have press. Final voting results to find out how the voting went reached agreement with the weren’t expected until about and to learn more about how assistance of the Federal midnight. the MNA is working for its Mediation and Conciliation MNA needs 66 percent of membership statewide. Service on the terms for new collective bargaining agree- MNA to picket SMDC main ments. The contract settlement is subject to ratification by the hospital on Monday, July 12 registered nurses represented Last Friday the Minnesota Nurses Association served notice by the Union, but the Union's on the St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic Health System that they will negotiating committees cover- begin informational picketing at SMDC on Monday, July 12. By ing all 14 hospitals have agreed law the hospitals must be given a 10-day notice of any such to favorably recommend the action. settlement for ratification. In Duluth and northern Minnesota 1,400 MNA RNs are in “The Minnesota Nurses negotiations with both SMDC and the St. Luke’s hospital sys- Association and the hospitals tems. Those contracts expired July 1. Talks with SMDC began have agreed to a renewed com- May 6 and on May 14 with St. Luke’s. mitment to working through The Metro contract can be a baseline for northern contracts both parties’ staffing issues but frustration with talks in Duluth with SMDC have the RNs through the existing committee willing to take it to the streets. The next negotiation with SMDC systems at the various hospi- isn’t until Tuesday, July 20. tals.” “We’ll be picketing on second, third and fourth streets and Minnesota AFL-CIO Presi- around the avenues from noon to 5:00 p.m.,” said Marie Pechek, dent Shar Knutson said, Labor Specialist for the MNA in Duluth. Members of Duluth Building Trades unions, including “Metro area nurses made a his- The MNA would appreciate any support they can get on the IBEW 242’s Darik Carlson (inside) and Jim Brown are toric stand for patient care and line. In the Twin Cities they outpouring of support was phenom- helping Boy Scout Troop 25 build another playhouse for the dignity in the workplace. Their enal. Even patients came out of the hospitals to help, with one Miller Dwan Foundation to raffle off for their fundraiser. man in his gown pushing his intravenous tree along. Duluth and Iron Range MNA members had bussed to the Twin Cities to help Labor Day Picnic hurting for donations, their union sisters and brothers. The next negotiations with St. Luke’s are scheduled for needs some new volunteers to stay viable Tuesday, July 13. Fundraising for the Duluth solely by donations and volun- lar end of summer picnic For more information about the Twin Cities and Duluth nurs- AFL-CIO Central Labor teer labor, the most critical ele- requires substantial donations es’ situations, visit http://www.mnnurses.org Body’s 121st Annual Labor ments for the event’s success in terms of funds and volun- Day Picnic has started but isn’t and both are lacking for the teers said Peterson. Screenings Thursday, July 8 looking good. Two months out only official workers’ holiday “We’re looking for new vol- On Thursday, July 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Duluth Labor from the Monday, Sept. 7 event in the United States. Since unteers, new ideas, and new Temple’s Wellstone Hall, 2002 London Road, NEALC only $2,800 has been raised. moving to Bayfront Festival sources of donations and rev- screenings will be held in races for the 6th District Court judi- enue,” said Peterson. “We are Last year was a bad year for Park the picnic has become cial seat, and Lake County commissioner races. picnic donations and at this even more popular with thou- inviting everyone who cares point $4,025 had been raised. sands attending the free event. about this Duluth institution to The 6th District Court bench race is wide open. The picnic needs about $8,000 Some families make it a part of come forward and help it to not Candidates include Russ Conrow, Tim Costley, Mike Cuzzo, to pay all its bills. a reunion weekend. only survive, but to grow.” Juhl Halvorson, John Lind, Tim Little, James Ross, and The picnic is subsidized This year will be the first One of the ideas that came Lawrence Ulanowski. year that Community Services forward from last year’s event In Lake County districts 2 and 4 are up for election this Program Director Beth was to have more activities for year. Rick Goutermont of Silver Bay is seeking re-election in Peterson will be wearing the toddlers. District 2 and will be opposed by Patricia Taylor of Finland. Picnic Committee Chair hat. “There are always activities Paul Bergman holds the Two Harbors District 4 seat and will “I’m trying to learn how it for the bigger kids but we want run against Mark Broin, Judy Olson, and Mary Henjum all comes together, who the to have young families feel as Rosati. welcome and connect with our donors, volunteers and vendors Screenings are open to the public. When delegates meet to have been,” Peterson said. “I’m labor movement,” said trying to recruit new volunteers Peterson. “The picnic has discuss labor endorsements following screenings, everyone to help those who I know have changed for the better by being who isn’t a labor delegate from an affiliated union is asked to been giving of their time and more family-friendly in our leave. energy for so long.” wonderful location at Bayfront If you would like to screen candidates in a race in the With food, beverages, enter- with parking so available and NEALC, which covers Lake, Cook, St. Louis, Koochiching, tainment, and prizes being pro- close.” Itasca, Carlton and Pine counties, or for any other informa- vided free of charge, the popu- See Labor Day...page 2 tion please contact Chad McKenna at 218-728-1257. Stewart Acuff book signing here July 22 for Labor Movie Night By Chad McKenna, Field his message out the old fash- imbalance of power between brother’s and sister’s keepers, Brother Acuff will be on Coordinator, North East Area ioned way, with a booklet for ordinary working families and that you are on your own. hand to sign copies of his book Labor Council the masses that defines the the wealthy elite, the disinvest- “Enough is enough. It is and will also read excerpts for July’s Labor Movie Night challenges facing us and charts ment in public services, the time to choose,” it adds. The those in attendance. will be featuring a special a new course for our country to financial collapse, and many U.S. can continue down that Books will be for sale for a guest. As you read in the May follow. He has been traveling other topics. It succinctly – but road, aiding just “the financial meager $10. Considering the 5 issue of the Labor World, the country for book signings quite comprehensively – out- elite,” it warns. “Or we can wealth of information includ- Stewart Acuff – the longtime and was excited about return- lines the current situation we bargain our way out…and once ed, this is a deal that will be AFL-CIO Director of Organi- ing to Duluth, where he has find ourselves in. Even better, again have an economy that hard to pass up. zing, now the chief of staff for invigorated Labor Day Picnic he proposes solutions on how works for ordinary working Be there or be square: Utility Workers President Mike crowds twice in recent years. to get us back on track and true Americans,” it concludes. Duluth Labor Temple, Well- Langford – has written a new The 85 page, easy to read to his passion, organizing with- The book is published by stone Hall (enter via South book entitled “Getting America book was co-written with in and outside the labor move- Tasora Books of Minneapolis Street), 2002 London Road, Back to Work.” Richard Levins, Professor ment is a big part of it.