CHI St. Alexius nurses vote to unionize with Minnesota Nurses Association

CHI St. Alexius nurses vote to unionize with Minnesota Nurses Association.

An overwhelming majority of registered nurses at Catholic Health Initiatives St. Alexius Medical Center chose to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association during two days of voting this week.

"St. Alexius nurses want to provide top quality care to all our patients by having a voice in our workplace," said Margo Maxon, an RN at the hospital. "Nurses believe coming together and speaking with one voice is the best way to advocate for our patients."

"MNA members welcome St. Alexius nurses to our union family," said MNA President Mary C. Turner. "We are excited to assist them as they take their seat at the table and have a say in their workplace."

"The importance is now we have a voice and a seat at the decision making table. We're excited to talk to all of the nurses and gather all of the nurses input, and see where to go from there," said Leslie Wenger, St. Alexius RN.

Nurses will now begin the process of organizing their new union by electing officers and initiating negotiations for a first contract.

The Minnesota Nurses Association represents 22,000 nurses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and now North Dakota.

In a statement CHI St. Alexius Health, Vice President Human Resources Ellen Holt said:

"This week, CHI St. Alexius Health nurses voted to be exclusively represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association. While we would have preferred a different outcome that allowed us to maintain our direct working relationship with our nurses, CHI St. Alexius Health remains dedicated to our mission as a healing ministry. We will continue to provide exceptional care to the patients and communities we serve."

The association claims they represent about 22,000 nurses across the Midwest.