In 2023, AFSCME Council 65 worked with SEIU, UFCW, and USW to improve wages and workplaces for nursing home workers. Together we created the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board in Minnesota. The first of its kind. The board has reps from nursing homes, workers, and state agencies. It will set basic work standards in nursing homes across the state.

The board has released its draft rules which strongly support workers and will help recruit and retain qualified workers. Use the links below to comment and show your support for Nursing Home Workers.

The deadline to submit comments is Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 4:30pm. 

The draft rules include:

Beginning January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for all nursing home workers is $19​ per hour. Beginning January 1, 2027, the minimum wage for all nursing home workers is​ $20.50 per hour.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for certified nursing assistants​ is $22.50 per hour. Beginning January 1, 2027, the minimum wage for certified nursing​ assistants is $24 per hour.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for trained medication aides​ is $23.50 per hour. Beginning January 1, 2027, the minimum wage for trained medication​ aides is $25 per hour.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for licensed practical nurses​ is $27 per hour. Beginning January 1, 2027, the minimum wage for licensed practical nurses​ is $28.50 per hour.

How you can support these rules.

You can submit comments through the Office of Administrative Hearings website:  Click Here Office of Administrative Hearings Comments On Rules 

You can also submit comments by emailing them to the office of General Counsel.

• Office of General Counsel Email:  [email protected]

We need workers to leave comments on the draft rules thanking the board for their support of workers and sharing how these raises will help you or your family, or the importance recruiting and retaining highly qualified nursing home staff. 

You can copy and personalize the comment below or write your own: 

Thank you for the standards you recently set in hopes of addressing the staffing crisis in the nursing home industry in Minnesota. We know that because of the low wages and lack of benefits, there is a shortage of workers who will do this critical work despite taxpayers sending hundreds of millions of dollars to nursing home owners over the last few years. Unions and workers have been sounding the alarm that we need real change.

That's why nursing home workers supported Gov. Walz and the legislature in creating the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. It is frustrating that the employer representatives refused to support raises, but it is exciting that the worker and government representatives on the Board passed a proposal to raise wages and ensure workers get time-and-a-half for all state holidays!

This is a great step towards fixing this crisis so we can make sure every resident in the state gets the care they need, and the workers who provide that amazing support can care for their families. Thank you for setting this standard and supporting nursing home workers and resident

Thank you,