Healthcare workers at HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group (SMG) who are members of SEIU Healthcare MN & IA filed the official 10-day notice today that means they could begin their 4-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike on July 8th.
Melissa Sirek, a CMA at HealthPartners SMG and member of the SEIU bargaining team, shared how the group is united to win a fair contract and how they are ready to strike if needed:
“Our patients value and appreciate us and we just want our Employer to do the same. It feels like the long term employees with our dedication and loyalty are being forgotten and overlooked. We need to see the employer put more money on the table for wages and benefits. They’re willing to pay temps significantly more money to do the same work we do. We would be able to retain more employees and we wouldn’t need to use temps if our wages and benefits were better. It’s sad it has to come to this because we don’t want to have to strike but we don’t have a choice if they’re not willing to give us what we deserve! We hope this notice shows our continued unity and helps get management to finally realize its overdue time to show they appreciate and value us for the critical work and great care we give to our patients. If the Employer can’t offer us the wages and benefits we deserve tomorrow at the bargaining table then our membership is ready to go on strike to demand it.”
On Tuesday, June 17th, workers from the group spoke out outside of their clinic to announce that a recent vote saw 99% support from workers voting for a ULP strike if the two sides cannot reach a deal. The two sides met last Thursday, seeing some progress, but remain apart on critical issues like wages. There is one additional bargaining date tomorrow, Friday June 27th.
The group brings together over 80 workers who do jobs such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and other service-unit healthcare positions in the Family Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics and Specialties departments at the clinic.
###
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa unites over 50,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout Minnesota and Iowa.
