Health care union members on Tuesday voted to authorize a strike at HealthPartners’ Stillwater Medical Group.
Ninety-nine percent of the SEIU Healthcare MN & IA union members who voted on Tuesday supported an Unfair Labor Practice strike if the bargaining team cannot reach a deal, union members said in a statement.
“This is not a position we take lightly, but we are ready to stand united to earn the contract language we deserve,” said Ellie Hilton, a provider assistant at HealthPartners SMG clinic and member of the union’s bargaining team. “The wages the employer is offering us are, frankly, insulting. Even for our highest paid members, they’re talking about increases that are less than 70 cents per year in their most recent pass.”
A HealthPartners’ spokesman said: “Our colleagues represented by SEIU Healthcare are a valuable part of our team. We’re committed to reaching a fair and financially responsible agreement with the union. In the event of a strike, we’re prepared to continue delivering the same high-quality care and experience our patients expect from us.”
The union consists of more than 80 workers including licensed practical nurses, certified medical assistants and other service-unit healthcare positions in the family medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics and specialties departments at the clinic.
The two sides are set to bargain on Thursday. If the union decides to call a strike, they have to file a 10-day notice.