Maple Grove Hospital Nurses Ratify ‘Historic’ New Contract

Nurses at Maple Grove Hospital have ratified a new three-year contract that its union deemed “historic,” in an announcement made Thursday night.

The agreement impacts nearly 600 nurses and comes as Robbinsdale-based North Memorial Health, which operates Maple Grove Hospital, is preparing to merge with Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health.

The Minnesota Nurses Association, which announced the deal, said the new contract secures stronger wages, improves workplace protections and offers retirement security and affordable health insurance.

“After more than 18 months of learning and standing together, we’re proud to have secured our first union contract,” said Margaret Sampson, a labor and delivery nurse at Maple Grove Hospital, in a statement to CCX News. “As Maple Grove Hospital prepares to be acquired, having a strong contract in place gives nurses the stability and protections we need to continue advocating for our patients and our profession.”

Among the provisions the union considered “key contract wins” include:

• Guaranteed pay raises throughout the contract with the same formula used by North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital nurses beginning in 2028
• Double-time pay for nurses who work more than 13 hours in a row to recognize the demands of long shifts
• Stronger retirement benefits with the employer increasing its 401(k) matching contribution up to 6 percent
• No loss of earned paid time off and access to benefits beginning at a lower commitment (0.45 full-time equivalent)
• Affordable health insurance with the employer required to negotiate with nurses before making changes to their health care coverage
• Investment each year for continuing education to help nurses maintain skills  

The new contract runs through Aug. 31, 2029.

Also see: What a Sanford Health-North Memorial Merger Could Mean for Patients, Robbinsdale Community

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