Duluth Nurses Set a Strike Date

Duluth, Minn. - Just days after SMDC announced a name change to Essentia Health Hospital, SMDC nurses set a strike date.

’We're here today to state that we have given our ten day notice for a one day strike,’ said Steve Strand of SMDC nurses negotiating team.

On Friday, SMDC nurses issue an 'Intent to Strike' notice after twelve failed bargaining sessions, an informational picket, and a nurse's vote authorizing their bargaining team leaders to call for a one day strike. ’I'm disappointed the MNA has asked our nurses to leave their patients bedsides,’ said SMDC President, Dr. Tom Patnoe.

SMDC nurses still say their biggest concern is nurse to patient ratios. They hope to use the strike notice as leverage in a bargaining session set for next Tuesday, September 7th. ’We hope that that can bring SMDC back to the table and put some pressure on them,’ says Strand.

Both the nurses and hospital hope to work out an agreement before the September 14th strike date. The strike is set to start at 7 AM on September 14th and last until 7AM on September 15th. Nurses plan to picket outside of St. Mary's and Miller Dwan.

’We wish to not go on strike, we don't want to go on strike, it would be best if we didn't go on strike and we would ask the hospital to give us what we believe is necessary for the patients so we don't go on strike,’ says Strand.

’Everybody hopes to avoid a strike and we will continue to work hard to do so, I'm hopeful that we can reach an agreement next Tuesday,’ says Patnoe.

An intent to strike does not guarantee a strike will happen, however if it does, the hospital says they're ready. ’We have plans in place in the event of the strike that will allow for delivery of safe, high quality care that our patients needs,’ says Patnoe.

Based on the Twin Cities nurses strike, SMDC hospital officials have been planning for the possibility of a strike. ’That includes finding nurses that are willing to work, highly skilled qualified nurses will be at the patient's bedside in the event of a strike,’ says Patnoe.

In spite of the strike possibility, both the hospital and nurses say patient care is still their top priority.