Essentia Sandstone nurses reach contract ratification

Nurses with Essentia Health in Sandstone have ratified a new three-year contract. It covers 28 nurses and focuses on cross-facility floating.

Cross-facility floating is a voluntary tool that Essentia says helps the company better match staffing needs with patient demand. It’s a care model that allows nurses the opportunity to pick up a shift at a different Essentia facility. This change also allows nurses from other Essentia facilities to fill shifts in Sandstone.

“We’re thrilled that these valued nurses voted to approve this agreement, which recognizes the excellent work they do every day to care for our friends, family and neighbors across the region,” said Sam Barney, administrator at Essentia Health-Sandstone and Essentia Health-Moose Lake. “At the same time, the contract benefits our patients by preserving access to the kind of expert care they expect from Essentia, right in their backyard.”

The new agreement also includes wage increases for each of the three years, with a market adjustment in year one that brings wages into alignment with nurses at the nearby Moose Lake facility. For the following two years, salaries increase 3.5% each year. By the end of the third year, nurses in Sandstone working 40 hours a week will have an annual salary between $85,400 and $127,100. Wages are dependant on years of service.

The Minnesota Nurses Association voted on the ratification on Friday, march 7.