RWU Resolution in Support of Striking Minnesota Nurses
WHEREAS, more than 15,000 nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) have gone on strike this week; and
WHEREAS, MNA union President Mary Turner said pay raises are necessary to address the “crisis of retention” that would otherwise leave the hospitals severely understaffed; and
WHEREAS, the nurses are fighting - not just for adequate compensation – but are demanding proper and adequate staffing to do the job effectively and safely; and
WHEREAS, the MNA has said it is "fighting for fair contracts to improve patient care and working conditions;” and
WHEREAS the nurses feel they are “overworked and underappreciated, and they’re watching their colleagues leave the bedside in droves.”
WHEREAS, the issues facing these essential health care workers are very similar in nature to the issues facing essential railroad workers; i.e. short staffing, overwork, increasing stress and fatigue, long hours, limited time off work, a hostile workplace environment, etc,; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Railroad Workers United supports the striking Minnesota nurses in their efforts to win a good contract; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that RWU urges all railroad workers in Minnesota and elsewhere to support the nurses in every way, including joining them on the picket line this week; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that RWU invite the nurses and all healthcare workers to join rail workers on our own picket lines later this week in Duluth, the Twin Cities and elsewhere across the state; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we call on the hospitals to bargain in good faith and reach an agreement that respects and honors the important labor of these sisters and brothers.
Adopted by the RWU Steering Committee 9/13/2022
