If the MNA is elected at any Essentia Health ambulatory clinic, then nurses at that clinic would become members of the bargaining unit and would not be able to “opt out” of union representation. However, each nurse would have the individual right to join or decline to join the MNA as a union member.

Those who decline to join the MNA as union members are still expected to pay “representation fees” (i.e., “service fees”) to cover a non-member’s fair share of the cost of union representation. These fees are typically just slightly less than full member dues.

Importantly, non-members who pay representation fees are typically prohibited from attending union meetings, voting on proposed contracts, voting on decisions to strike, voting for union stewards and other union leaders, etc.