MNA nurses march on the boss at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

By Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN

It’s a great day for workers. With one fight won at the linen workers union Local 150 and one fight not won, YET. After a strike that lasted only one day the workers who launder our hospital scrubs and linens successfully secured their pensions and restored sick time benefits the management sought to steal from their workers.   President Jean Ross joined MNA leaders as well as Speaker of the Minnesota House Paul Thissen and Minnesota Senator Tom Bakk to rally together with many unions to support the striking LIUNA laborers at Cretex as they also fight for to keep their pension, affordable health care and a safe workplace. One thing became clear the same fight we had in 2010 continues. Corporations seek to squash the workers and their right to collective bargaining to boost their profits.

Congratulations and thank you to all workers who stand up and fight for a fair wage, safe working conditions, health care, and a secure pension. We celebrate with SEIU workers and support the laborers today tomorrow or until the war is won.