Thaindian News

By Ranjan Bhaduri
Minneapolis, June 22, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Minnesota nurses who had earlier declared to walkout of the hospital in the current month itself has once again called for an open ended strike all over 14 hospitals of Minneapolis-St. Paul area on Monday. The decision for the strike was supported by 84 percent of the total number of nurses of MNA (Minnesota Nurses Association) who were said to be in favor of the strike. It was declared that the nurses might go for a strike but they shall have to inform the hospitals with a 10 day prior notice.

It was on June 10 when a total of 12,000 nurses had called for a one day strike demanding additional staffs in the hospitals. The nurses also demanded that there shouldn’t be any cuts to their pension. In accordance to the demands set forward by the nurses, a hospital spokeswoman told the media that a full-time nurse working in the Twin Cities hospital earns an average amount of $79,000 each and every year. As per the contract, she can claim all her benefits for devoting a total of 16 hours in a span of one week. However, the spokeswoman was of the opinion that a strike is never a solution to the demands made by the nurses. Rather it shall only affect the patient care in the hospitals.

Minnesota Nurses Association President Linda Hamilton issued a written statement where it was mentioned that the union hopes that the strike would deliver their message all across. However, she also underlined the fact that the demands are their sole objective and they do not wish to harm or upset patient care by the strike.