Members of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa began a four-day strike July 8 at HealthPartners Clinic Stillwater (Minn.).
The union represents more than 80 workers in roles such as licensed practical nurse, certified medical assistant and other service-unit healthcare positions in the family medicine, OB-GYN, pediatrics and specialties departments, according to a July 2 SEIU news release. The clinic’s parent organization, Bloomington, Minn.-based HealthPartners, employs more than 26,000 people.
Union members voted in June to authorize the strike. The two sides have met at least seven times but have not reached an agreement on issues such as wages and benefits for longtime employees, according to SEIU.
“Our members do not feel valued and respected. Management has barely moved in their proposals the last couple days we have met,” said Kelly Parent, a licensed practical nurse at HealthPartners Stillwater Medical Group and member of the SEIU bargaining team, in the release.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, HealthPartners said: “Our colleagues represented by SEIU Healthcare are a valuable part of our team. While we are disappointed by the union’s decision to move forward with the strike, we will focus on working toward a fair and financially responsible agreement. Our patients will continue to receive excellent care and service from us throughout this work stoppage.”
