STILLWATER, MINN – Healthcare workers at HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group (SMG) who are members of SEIU Healthcare MN & IA will begin their 4-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike on July 8th following another round of unsuccessful bargaining today. The workers will picket in front of the facility starting at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, and will hold a rally on the picket line with supporters at noon on the first day of the strike. A reminder advisory will be sent out Monday with all of the strike details.
Kelly Parent, a Licensed Practical Nurse at HealthPartners SMG and member of the SEIU bargaining team, spoke out about the group’s unity in standing together for SMG workers and patients:
“Our members do not feel valued and respected. Management has barely moved in their proposals the last couple days we have met. They simply have not been willing to offer the raises and respect we deserve. I don’t understand why they would rather spend extra money on overtime and the temps they’re going to bring in to try to do our jobs next week, instead of putting that money into the paychecks of all of us who work there. We are going out on strike next week because we deserve more. We go above and beyond for our patients every day, and we’re tired of being underappreciated for that work. That’s why 99% of our members voted to authorize this ULP strike.”
On Tuesday, June 17th, workers from the group spoke out outside of their main clinic to announce that a recent vote saw 99% support from workers voting for a ULP strike if the two sides weren’t able to reach a deal. The two sides have met seven times but remain apart on key issues like wages and benefits for their longtime employees.
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.
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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.
