Page 4 - aruba-today-20220913

A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 13 sepTember 2022
Thousands of Minnesota nurses launch 3-day strike over pay

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Thou- on a three-day rather than
sands of nurses in Minne- open-ended strike be-
sota launched a three-day cause of concerns about
strike Monday, complain- the impact of drawn-out la-
ing of low salaries and un- bor action on patient care.
derstaffing worsened by "As the nurses always say,
the strains of the coronavi- this isn't something they
rus pandemic. want to be doing, they
Some 15,000 nurses at sev- want to be at the bedside
en health care systems in providing care," Fettig said.
the Minneapolis and Duluth Hospitals argued that the
areas walked out. The af- proposals by the union and
fected hospitals said they its nurses are too costly.
recruited temporary nurses "It just isn't a realistic num-
and expected to maintain ber," Paul Omodt, a spokes-
most services. man for several of the Min-
Picket signs went up and neapolis-area hospitals,
strike chants began at 7 said last month.
a.m. outside 15 Twin Cities The hospitals affected by
and Duluth area hospitals. the strike included those
The hospitals and the strik- operated by Allina Health,
ing nurses said staff short- M Health Fairview, Chil-
ages are a shared concern. dren's Hospital, North Me-
Minnesota Nurses Associa- morial and HealthPartners.
tion president Mary Turner In Duluth, it was Essentia
said pay raises are neces- and St Luke's.
sary to address the "crisis of As union members in Min-
retention" that would oth- Mary Turner, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association, left, joins nurses striking Monday, nesota walked the picket
erwise leave the hospitals Sept. 12, 2022 outside North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minn. line, UW Health nurses and
severely understaffed. Associated Press the UW Hospital board in
The hospitals have offered Wisconsin approved an
10-12% wage increases wage increases would be said in a joint statement. Hospital because of the agreement intended to
but the nurses are seeking passed along to patients. Second-year nurse Madi stress and frustration of car- avert a strike that had been
more than 30%. Hospital "The union rejected all re- Gay, who was picketing ing for so many severely ill scheduled to start Tuesday,
leaders called their wage quests for mediation and Monday morning after patients. a spokesperson for the
demands unaffordable, held fast to wage demands completing her overnight "How long can you keep nurses' union said Monday.
noting that Allina and Fair- that were unrealistic, un- shift, told the Star Tribune this up?" Gay asked. "My li- Nurses and administra-
view hospitals have post- reasonable and unafford- that she had already re- cense is on the line." tors didn't immediately
ed operating losses and able," several of the Twin duced her hours at M Union spokesman Sam Fet- release details of that
that the cost of such sharp Cities hospitals under strike Health Fairview Southdale tig said the nurses settled agreement.q

Malerba sworn in as 1st Native American in U.S. Treasurer post

pear along with Treasury made up of roughly 2,400 currency in the coming
Secretary Janet Yellen on people, previously worked months.
U.S. currency. as a registered nurse, and "We all know that, histori-
Yellen hailed the appoint- has served in various tribal cally, many promises have
ment at the Treasury De- government roles. not been kept to the indig-
partment ceremony as a Biden appointed her U.S. enous peoples of this na-
sign of the Biden adminis- treasurer in June and as tion. But we can and will do
tration's "respect for, and overseer of a new Office of better," said Malerba, who
commitment toward, our Tribal and Native Affairs at wore a red and black tribal
nation-to-nation relation- the Treasury Department. ensemble and matching
ship, trust and treaty re- She is tasked with finding headdress. "My appoint-
sponsibilities, and Tribal new ways to help tribes de- ment is a promise kept."
sovereignty and self-deter- velop their economies to "When barriers to econom-
mination." overcome challenges that ic development are elimi-
"For all our progress — are unique to tribal lands, nated, tribal communities
there is more work to do among other responsibili- will thrive and prosper,"
The new Treasurer of the United States Lynn Malerba, center, to strengthen our nation- ties. she said. "We know, when
Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing of the United to-nation relationship with As part of the ceremony, there is robust tribal eco-
States Leonard Olijar, left, with Secretary of the Treasury Janet Tribal governments," Yellen Malerba signed a book nomic development, our
Yellen, show a document with the signature of Malerba, col- said in prepared remarks. presented by Bureau of En- local and state communi-
lected to be used for the United States currency, during a cer-
emony at the Treasury Department, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in They were joined by Interior graving and Printing Direc- ties prosper as well."
Washington. Secretary Deb Haaland, tor Len Olijar, who will en- She added that the mo-
Associated Press the first Native American to grave her signature. Her of- ment made her think deep-
lead that department, and ficial signature will appear ly of her parents. "My name
By FATIMA HUSSEIN in Monday as the Treasurer members of Treasury's Tribal as "Lynn Roberge Malerba" will be on currency, when
Associated Press of the United States, the first Advisory Committee. in honor of her maiden it was so difficult for them
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mo- Native American to hold Malerba, who will remain name. to get money in their life-
hegan Chief Marilynn that office. lifetime chief of the Mohe- A Treasury official said time," she said during the
"Lynn" Malerba was sworn Her signature will now ap- gan Indian Tribe which is her name will appear on ceremony.q