Deer River – The ULP strike by Essentia Deer River workers reaches 45 days on Wednesday as the two sides are heading back to the bargaining table for sessions scheduled Wednesday and Thursday with a Federal Mediator. Last week hundreds of union members held an informational picket in Duluth in support of the workers, who voted down the employer’s current offer once again, this time with 90% supporting the rejection of the subpar offer.
Kayla Schwankl, SEIU organizer and lead bargainer for the group, shared the workers' determination to win a fair contract:
"SEIU members have been united over the last 45 days (and in our previous 5-day ULP strike) to win a contract that respects their work and ensures our patients and residents get the care they deserve from staff who can afford to make this job a career. It is frustrating that this strike has gone on this long, but it has been amazing to see the solidarity and the amazing support from the Deer River community. We've been ready to reach a fair deal with the employer throughout this process, and that is the mindset we are taking into bargaining today and tomorrow. Our bargaining team is hopeful that Essentia will come to the table ready to negotiate and we can finally reach a fair deal and settle this ULP strike."
While Essentia’s CEO got a million dollar bonus in 2022 and 2023, the employer’s current offer would mean an eight cent raises in the first year for some longtime workers, keeping their pay well below comparable healthcare jobs in Minnesota. Union healthcare workers have remained steadfast in their push for a fair contract that ensures the workers who provide frontline care to the community have the pay and benefits needed to fully staff the facility.
Portions of the facility have been closed during the strike, meaning less services for community members. Union members have remained committed to reaching a fair deal if Essentia is willing to improve their subpar offer that has been rejected multiple times. Workers need action to address the short staffing they are facing and are united in demanding Essentia do better at the table to end the longest ULP strike in 40 years by SEIU Healthcare MN & IA workers.
The group brings together 70 workers who work in the hospital and nursing home/long term care. The two sides have been bargaining since August, yet remain distant on big issues that workers see as critical in ensuring there are enough staff to do this important work providing world-class patient and resident care.
Jobs done by the group include: Nutrition Services Assistant, Activity Aide, Laundry Aide, Environmental Service Tech, Sterile Processing Tech, Cook, Nursing Assistant – LTC, Nursing Assistant (Hosp.Acute Care, HUC Duties), Health Unit Coordinator (HUC), Phlebotomist, Pharmacy Tech, LPN, Med Lab Tech, Maintenance I, Surgical Tech, Floor Care Tech, Medical Tech, Radiology Tech and more.
