Thousands of Nurses Strike Across Minnesota Over Contract Negotiations

A 3 day strike for better staffing and better care for patients has begun in Minnesota. In the Minneapolis-St Paul Market and Duluth, around 15,000 nurses are protesting against 13 hospitals. Covid ICU Nurse, Mary Turner stated that the strike is not about wages but it is about fighting for the ability to have a say so over their profession and work life balance. Turner is also the President of the Minnesota Nurses Association which is the union waging the strike. The union has been communicating with hospital executives for over 5 months, attempting to negotiate terms. Turner stated that both sides are almost on the same page for the wage terms, however, the economic issues with demands to solve short-staffing and better patient care, has not made progress. The union has hope that the walk-out will encourage management to negotiate.