Avera nurses hold informational picket

MARSHALL — Holding signs calling for safe staffing and stating other concerns, nurses stood along Bruce Street outside Avera Regional Medical Center in 30-degree weather Tuesday evening.

The informational picketing by Minnesota Nurses Association members called for Avera executives to address issues like staffing and retention.

Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are bargaining for a new contract with the Avera health system.

“We are asking hospital executives to do what needs to be done to attract and retain nurses so we can continue to provide the high-quality care our community expects and deserves,” Mary McConnell, RN at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center, said in a Friday news release.

“Nurses kept our hospitals running and our patients cared for through the pandemic. Now it is time for hospital management to listen to and value our nurses, and to give us the support we need to continue to provide exceptional patient care at the bedside.”

The news release from the Minnesota Nurses Association said Avera Marshall has had a “crisis of understaffing,” and high numbers of nurses leaving the hospital. The release said nurses were calling for adequate staffing levels and support for nurses, as well as conditions like better wages and health insurance comparable to what other Avera employees receive.

In a statement Tuesday, Avera Marshall representatives said they respected the nurses’ right to speak out on issues important to them, and remained hopeful that a new contract was in reach for employees represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association.

“There are two key points on which we and the MNA agree. First, our nurses are an essential and valued part of the team of medical professionals who provide our patients and their families with the best possible care. Second, our nurses deserve a fair and respectful contract that reflects the value of their contribution to our mission of service to our community,” the statement from Avera said. “We feel our discussions have reflected that.”

“Over the last year, we have made meaningful progress in working together to improve our workplace culture through mutual listening and respect and a focus on living out the Avera mission in our work each day,” the statement from Avera said. “We place a high priority on continuing this important work.”