Essentia Health recognizes the MNA as the union representing about 50 nurses at Essentia Health-Deer River. Negotiations for the next contract began on August 17, 2023. Essentia Health is committed to working through the usual process of bargaining in good faith to come to a mutually agreeable contract.

Essentia Health and Minnesota Nurses Association Bargaining – November 14, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) continued negotiations on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. This was the ninth bargaining session as the two parties continue to meet to negotiate a new contract covering about 50 MNA-represented nurses at Essentia Health Deer River.

The parties had further discussion on the key open issues (creating opportunities to work across company facilities, MTO, and wages), but we were unable to come to resolution on these matters. In an effort to help us resolve these issues, the parties agreed to seek the assistance of an outside mediator and hope to schedule a session for early December.

Essentia remains committed to reaching an agreement with our nurses and looks forward to the next steps.

Essentia Health and Minnesota Nurses Association Bargaining – November 2, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) continued negotiations on Thursday, November 2, 2023. This was the eighth bargaining session as the two parties work to negotiate a new contract covering about 50 MNA-represented nurses at Essentia Health Deer River.

The parties again had good discussion on the key open issues and both parties presented additional counter proposals on operational matters. The discussions focused on creating opportunities to work across company facilities and on wages.

Essentia remains committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement with our nurses and hopes to make substantial progress at the next bargaining session, scheduled for November 14.

Essentia Health and Minnesota Nurses Association Bargaining – October 24, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) continued negotiations on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. This was the seventh bargaining session as the two parties work to negotiate a new contract covering about 50 MNA represented nurses at Essentia Health Deer River.

The parties had good discussion on the key open issues, and Essentia presented additional counter proposals on wages and operational matters.

Essentia remains committed to reaching an agreement that is beneficial to both Essentia and to our dedicated nurses. Additional bargaining sessions are scheduled for November 2 and 14.

Essentia Health and Minnesota Nurses Association Bargaining – October 3, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) continued negotiations on Monday and Tuesday, October 2-3, 2023. This was the sixth bargaining session as the two parties negotiate a new contract covering about 50 MNA represented nurses at Essentia Health Deer River.

The sessions were productive as the parties worked through open issues and presented counter proposals on operational matters and wages. Tentative agreements were reached on several proposals, including some staffing matters.

Essentia remains committed to reaching an agreement that is beneficial to both Essentia and our dedicated nurses. The next bargaining session is scheduled for October 24. 

Essentia Health and Minnesota Nurses Association Bargaining – September 27, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) continued negotiations on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. This was the fourth bargaining session as the two parties negotiate a new contract covering about 50 MNA represented nurses at Essentia Health Deer River.

The discussions were productive and both parties continue to work toward a new agreement. Essentia presented its initial economics package. The MNA said it would review the proposal and be prepared to discuss it during the next bargaining sessions, scheduled for Monday, October 2 and Tuesday, October 3.

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 agreement covers about 50 nurses at Essentia Health–Deer River.

Essentia Health began bargaining with the MNA in Deer River this summer. Essentia Health has a history of reaching successful agreements with the MNA across our system, and we are focused on reaching a similar outcome in Deer River this year.

Our MNA agreement in Deer River expires on September 30, 2023.

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 making a healthy difference in people’s lives. We are committed to providing a safe work environment, keeping Essentia nursing jobs among the best in Deer River, 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 Deer River 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 Deer River.

 

Still Have a Question?

For additional information or relevant questions not addressed here, email the Essentia Health team at bargaining@essentiahealth.org.