Senate DFLers Support Minnesota’s Nurses in Fight for Fair Wages and Better Conditions

The Minnesota Nurses Association announced this week that more than 15,000 nurses will participate in a three-day strike later this month if a new contract is not reached. If no agreement is reached, the three-day strike would be the largest private sector nurses’ strike in United States history.

In response, Senate DFL leader Melisa López Franzen (DFL-Edina), Assistant Leader Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato), Assistant Leader Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul), Assistant Leader Mary Kunesh (DFL-Columbia Heights), and Senator Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) released the following statement on behalf of the DFL Caucus supporting their fight for better wages and working conditions: 

“For far too long, our nurses have been stretched to the breaking point, working around the clock in difficult and high stress circumstances, to ensure patients across Minnesota have the high-quality care they need and deserve. Now, despite keeping patients healthy and safe and getting our state through two years of a very difficult pandemic, they have not yet received the contract that recognizes their skills, professionalism, and sacrifices. We back their continued push for a fair contract that includes better pay and working conditions, and to ensure that the sharp rise in workplace violence is addressed. Minnesota needs them at the bedside and we hope they can finalize a new agreement soon.”

Earlier this year, the Senate DFL Caucus made the “Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act” a legislative priority. The measure would help improve working conditions and workplace safety for nurses across the state.

Senator Melisa López Franzen
Melisa López Franzen represents District 49 in the southwest Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Learn more about Sen. Franzen.

Read more news from Sen. Franzen.
Senator Melisa López Franzen on EmailSenator Melisa López Franzen on FacebookSenator Melisa López Franzen on FlickrSenator Melisa López Franzen on Twitter
Senator Nick Frentz
Nick Frentz represents Senate District 18, which includes Ridgely Township, West Newton Township, Lafayette Township, Lafayette, Bernadotte Township, Brighton Township, Courtland Township, Courtland, New Sweden Township, Granby Township, Nicollet, Nicollet Township, Belgrade Township, North Mankato, Mankato, Eagle Lake, Lime Township, Kasota, Saint Peter, Lake Prairie Township, Traverse Township, and Oshawa Township. Senator Frentz is Chair of the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee and Vice Chair on the Finance, Capital Investment, Commerce and Consumer Protection
and Rules and Administration Committees.

Learn more about Sen. Frentz.

Read more news from Sen. Frentz.
Senator Nick Frentz on FacebookSenator Nick Frentz on Flickr
Senator Foung Hawj
Senator Foung Hawj is an Assistant Majority Leader for the Senate DFL Caucus. He is chair of the Environment, and Climate and Legacy Committee and serves on the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and Transportation Committee. He also Co-Chairs the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and serves on the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

Learn more about Sen. Hawj.

Read more news from Sen. Hawj.
Senator Foung Hawj on EmailSenator Foung Hawj on FacebookSenator Foung Hawj on Flickr
mm
Mary K. Kunesh represents Senate District 39, which covers the communities of St. Anthony Village, New Brighton, Hilltop, Columbia Heights, Fridley, and a portion of Spring Lake Park.

Learn more about Sen. Kunesh.

Read more news from Sen. Kunesh.
mm
Erin Murphy represents Senate District 64, which includes portions of the Saint Paul community.

Learn more about Sen. Murphy.

Read more news from Sen. Murphy.