Essentia-Saint Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth and the nurses union go back into contract negotiations today after Minnesota Nurses Association members did informational picketing outside the hospital Tuesday. Wages and benefits are among the issues, and bargaining team member Chris Rubesch says nurses want to ensure there’s sufficient staff to continue providing safe care, but also to educate patients: “Make sure that they understand their health, their medications — to make sure ultimately that they stay healthy and stay out of the hospital.”
Essentia in a statement says they value contributions of their skilled and compassionate nurses. Nursing staff at neighboring Saint Luke’s in Duluth have also been in contract talks but no bargaining sessions are currently scheduled.