MINNEAPOLIS – Over 500 professional frontline healthcare workers employed by Allina Health who are members of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa voted overwhelmingly to authorize their bargaining teams to call an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike if Allina continues to refuse to reach fair contracts for these essential workers.

Voting happened at various facilities, with over 95% of the healthcare workers who voted supporting the strike authorization. There is no strike date set, and the union would have to file a 10-day notice for any potential strike.

Jeanie Garcia, an Occupational Therapist at Allina for 14 years and member of SEIU HCMN&IA, shared why members are standing up for what is right:

“As a rehabilitation therapist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, we help patients achieve their goals to get stronger and gain independence after a life changing medical disease or illness. Throughout the pandemic management purposely suspended our wage increases, 401k matching, and reduced our PTO carry over rates. When the therapists at Abbott voted to file for a union, Allina withheld wage increases. We are ready to strike if needed to win benefits that are equitable, fair and respectful of the work we do for our patients.”

Sites that could be impacted by a potential strike include Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Mercy and Unity Hospitals and Allina Central Lab. The workers do various jobs across Allina, including:

• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Language Pathologists
• Senior Mental Health Coordinators
• Medical Lab Scientists
• Medical Lab Technicians
• Medical Laboratory Scientists
• Histotechnologists
• Cytotechnologists
• Cytogenetic Technologists
• Lab Tech Assistants
• Lab Assistants
• Histotechnician

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa President Jamie Gulley shared the urgency healthcare workers were feeling and why it’s time for Allina management to do what is right:

“This vote shows the unity and determination of this group to win better working conditions for healthcare workers and better care for our patients. It’s time that these healthcare professionals get the respect they deserve from Allina management, especially after they have stepped up throughout the pandemic. We’re ready to get to the table and reach fair contracts, but if management continues to refuse to reach a fair deal, workers are ready to strike.”

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