Union-represented health unit coordinators reached a tentative labor agreement May 22 with Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn., days before workers were scheduled to begin a three-day strike May 27, according to a news release from SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa shared with Becker’s.
The union represents about 85 health unit coordinators at the hospital, which is part of Bloomington, Minn.-based HealthPartners.
According to the union, the tentative agreement includes paid holidays, expanded paid time off benefits, retroactive pay and wage increases of up to 19% for some longtime workers. The deal also includes seniority protections, grievance and arbitration rights, and meal coupons for employees working extra hours.
“We are proud that we stood together as co-workers and were able to reach a tentative agreement to establish our first union contract,” Erin Neary, a health unit coordinator and bargaining team member, said in the release.
Union members voted May 7 to authorize a strike after more than a dozen bargaining sessions, according to the union.
“We’re pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that’s fair to our colleagues and sustainable for our organization,” the hospital said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “We value our health unit coordinators represented by SEIU and their commitment to our patients.”
Methodist Hospital is a 426-bed facility, according to its website.
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