More than 500 Allina Health employees could soon join the picket line after union members authorized a strike on Wednesday.
According to union spokesman Josh Keller, more than 95 percent of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa members who voted supported unfair labor practices strike authorization. Unions are required to provide 10 days of strike notice before union members go on strike.
Healthcare workers from multiple departments at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Mercy and Unity Hospitals, and Allina Central Lab are seeking new contracts.
“During the pandemic, management intentionally stopped increasing wages, 401k matching, and reducing PTO carryover rates,” Alina occupational therapist Jeanie Garcia said in a statement. When she voted to apply for a union, Alina withheld a wage increase and, if necessary, went on strike to get benefits that were fair, just and respectful of the work she was doing for patients. I am ready.”
In a statement, Alina said she was “disappointed” by the strike’s approval and that it was “not uncommon” for it to take more than a year to negotiate a new union contract.
“We are confident that the work stoppage will benefit no one and will certainly benefit patients and communities,” Alina said. “At this time, Allina Health has not received her 10-day notice and hopes that both parties will reach a settlement before the shutdown occurs.”