Thursday 15 September 2022 08:59 AM Scab nurses called in to work Minnesota hospitals during strike can make up to ... trends now
Nurses who are filling in for those on strike in Minnesota are being paid $8,000 for five days work, it has emerged - as the striking locals warn that their replacements pose a risk to patients.
An estimated 15,000 Minnesota nurses went on strike on Monday in protest at pay and staffing shortages, in the largest private-sector nurses' strike in U.S. history.
In response, hospitals bussed in nurses from other states, and recruiters sought rapid replacements.
At Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, a coach full of replacement nurses was seen arriving, just as striking nurses were readying their barricades.
Online recruiters were advertising for registered nurses, who would be paid $8,000 for the duration of the Minnesota protest, CBS reported: the three days of the strike in addition to two days of training.
Striking nurses are pictured on Wednesday in Minnesota
Striking nurses said the replacement healthcare professionals were not up to standard.
'They don't know our policies, our protocols,' said Angela Becchetti, a registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
'They don't know where stuff is, how does our unit work, how do our patients work and you can't learn that in a couple days of training and that's an issue for us.'
Yet the hospitals said the fill-in nurses were qualified and able.
Allina Health said in a statement, 'The replacement RNs are quality, experienced nurses that are licensed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and meet the same credentialing guidelines as our staff nurses.'
The nurses' strike is supported by 'Squad' member Ilhan Omar, who represents Minnesota in Congress, and the Democrat governor of Minnesota, Tim Waltz.
'Overwhelmed by the passion and commitment of these nurses,' tweeted Omar. 'I'll stand with you @mnnurses as long as it takes to get you the treatment you deserve!'
Waltz added: 'Nurses have put their lives on the line to care for Minnesotans throughout this pandemic. They deserve to be safe on the job and get paid fairly.'
Minnesota's nurses are seen on Monday going on strike - the first day in a three-day stoppage over pay and staff shortages
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who represents Minnesota, backed the strike, saying on social media she supported the nurses fighting to 'get you the treatment you deserve!'
Supported by 'Squad' member Ilhan Omar , who represents Minnesota in Congress, and the Democrat governor of Minnesota, Tim Waltz, 15,000 nurses angered by conditions and pay went on strike.
Minnesota's problem is particularly acute, The Washington Post reported, because of its aging population - placing additional stress on the wards - coupled with a low unemployment rate, with less incentive for people to join the demanding and underpaid profession.
The average registered nurse in Minnesota earns $84,030 a year, or an hourly salary of $40.40 - making the state the 13th ranked in the nation, according to Nurse Journal.
In California registered nurses earn $124,000; Southern and Midwestern states pay the least, with Alabama nurses on $61,000.
But Minnesota is far from the only state facing strike action: in Oregon, 7,000 health-care workers have also authorized a work stoppage, while a strike among University of Wisconsin nurses was narrowly averted this week. In Hawaii and California, mental health care professionals are currently on strike amid protest at inadequate staffing.
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