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MNA Strike @ Essentia Enters its 2nd Week

The MNA strike at Essentia Health is entering its second week.  On July 8 the 300 Clinic RNs at the 1st Street, 2nd Street and 3rd Street Clinics in Duluth went out on strike.  And on July 10 the 400 Advance Practice Providers in the entire Eastern Market of Essentia also went out on strike.  Since then they have been picketing at multiple sites every day, with hundreds of workers and supporters walking the lines.

Both groups of workers unionized more than a year ago, but still do not have a union contract because of Essentia's stalling tactics.   

On our facebook and instagram pages we have been posting daily photos/updates of the pickets.  Starting today though the MNA has reorganized the times and locations of their pickets.  Going forward they will be prioritizing picketing at the main Essentia campuses in Duluth and in Superior, and their weekday pickets will run from 7am to 3:30pm.

We strongly urge all of our readers to join these brave workers on the picket line.  Even if you can only walk the line for a brief while, every little bit helps and it's always a big morale boost for the strikers.  And be sure to lay on your horn when you drive by!  However, be warned that Essentia does not allow folks who are picketing to use their parking or their bathrooms, and they are aggressively enforcing that.  But there is street parking, City parking ramps and DTA bus service.  And there are union rented portapotties nearby as well.

 There are also some other ways that you can help the strikers.  One way you can help is by donating to the union's strike fund.  Here is the link for that: https://mnnurses.org/strikefund/  Another way to help is to sign up to sponsor a meal or snacks for a set time slot for one of the picket lines.  You can sign up for that through this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4CA9AF2EA5FA7-57440300-community#/  And finally, you can write to Essentia Health to urge them to do the right thing through this link: https://secure.everyaction.com/IeyxnW5I0EW7beKAU3w_pg2

Essentia is the largest employer in this region, and its led by a CEO who loves to give himself massive annual bonuses and constantly buy up additional real estate.  Meanwhile workers are being pushed to their limits, and patient care if suffering.  Lets show these brave workers that we stand with them and that we have their backs!
 

 

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