Essentia Health recognizes the MNA as the union representing 250 nurses at Essentia Health-St. Joseph Medical Center. Essentia Health is committed to working through the usual process of bargaining in good faith to come to a mutually agreeable contract.
There is currently no bargaining underway.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below is a representative sample of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the bargaining process and what it means for MNA and Essentia Health.
The current Brainerd agreement covers more than 250 nurses at Essentia Health–St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
We are glad to announce that Brainerd nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association voted on Tuesday, February 14, to approve a new labor agreement with Essentia Health. The three-year contract covers about 250 nurses working at Essentia Health-St. Joseph Medical Center.
The agreement benefits our valued nurses and allows us to continue providing high-quality care close to home for the patients we are privileged to serve in Brainerd and the surrounding communities.
Our MNA agreement in Brainerd expires on October 31, 2025.
We are privileged to have some of the best nurses in the country, and we are committed to reaching a mutually agreeable settlement that supports our Mission of being called to make a healthy difference in people’s lives. We are committed to providing a safe work environment, keeping Essentia nursing jobs among the best in the communities we are privileged to serve, and supporting excellence in patient care.
We also remain committed to providing seamless, high-quality care to our patients and their families while we work through the bargaining process.
Essentia Health is committed to working through a range of issues of interest to both parties in Brainerd in a deliberate way through the usual process of bargaining in good faith.
Yes, we will continue to provide appropriate updates on the process in Brainerd.
That includes posting more FAQs and providing updates after each bargaining session to help ensure that our nurses and others stay informed.
Still Have a Question?
For additional information or relevant questions not addressed here, email the Essentia Health team at bargaining@essentiahealth.org.
