With contracts set to expire Feb. 28, the Service Employees International Union said talks with a multi-employer hospital association are "slow" and "difficult," but expressed hope of reaching a settlement with the Allina system.
The chief concern of the 6,000 workers covered by the contracts is their inability to afford the rising cost of health care coverage ? and the impact it has on their families, their patients and the community.
Negotiations are taking place at two tables ? one with the Allina system, the other with a multi-employer association.
Prior to negotiations, Allina and SEIU Local 113 formed a "strategic alliance" that has created "a more cooperative approach" and makes it more likely a settlement will be reached before the Feb. 28th expiration, union President Julie Schnell said Thursday. She is not hopeful about an agreement with the multi-employer group.
"At the multi-employer (table), it feels that the concerns we continue to bring up are being dismissed by the employer," she said. If no settlement is reached, the union will continue bargaining and has not scheduled a strike vote.
"The members will ultimately make that decision," Schnell said. "Nothing has been determined on a strike vote at this point."
The Allina group is Abbott Northwestern and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and United Hospital in St. Paul. Some 2,500 SEIU members are employed at these hospitals.
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The multi-employer association includes HealthEast Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis, HealthEast St. John's in Maplewood, Children's Hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Fairview University Medical Center-Riverside Campus, Fairview Southdale in Edina, North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale and Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. More than 3,500 SEIU members are employed at these hospitals.
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Brad Weisz, a support worker at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, said he and his co-workers would like more input into safety issues by creating a joint employer-union committee on patient care. But so far the multi-employer association has rejected this suggestion.
Minnesota hospital workers suffer twice as many on-the-job injuries as workers in most other state industries, Weisz noted, adding, "Health and safety conditions for hospital workers have a direct impact on the quality of patent care."
In addition to safety issues on the job, the lack of affordable health care for health care workers is a serious problem, said Tee McClenty, an emergency room technician at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood.
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"It's important to the community because our health impacts the health of our patients," she noted.
Workers are Fairview are particularly concerned about a recently instituted health care plan they say costs more and provides less coverage. Geri Weitzel, employed at Fairview Riverside, said her monthly premium for family coverage rose from $272 a month last year to more than $350 a month ? with higher co-pays.
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"This means we've had to make some tough choices," she said. "We've even considered refinancing our home because of these changes."
Local 113 is calling attention to the health care crisis through its "Together for Quality Care" campaign launched in December.
"This is more than about hospital workers," said Schnell. "It's about the lack of affordable health insurance in our state and improving quality care for our patients, our families and our communities. We're working toward a contract that achieves nothing less."
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With contracts set to expire Feb. 28, the Service Employees International Union said talks with a multi-employer hospital association are “slow” and “difficult,” but expressed hope of reaching a settlement with the Allina system.
The chief concern of the 6,000 workers covered by the contracts is their inability to afford the rising cost of health care coverage ? and the impact it has on their families, their patients and the community.
Negotiations are taking place at two tables ? one with the Allina system, the other with a multi-employer association.
Prior to negotiations, Allina and SEIU Local 113 formed a “strategic alliance” that has created “a more cooperative approach” and makes it more likely a settlement will be reached before the Feb. 28th expiration, union President Julie Schnell said Thursday. She is not hopeful about an agreement with the multi-employer group.
“At the multi-employer (table), it feels that the concerns we continue to bring up are being dismissed by the employer,” she said. If no settlement is reached, the union will continue bargaining and has not scheduled a strike vote.
“The members will ultimately make that decision,” Schnell said. “Nothing has been determined on a strike vote at this point.”
The Allina group is Abbott Northwestern and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and United Hospital in St. Paul. Some 2,500 SEIU members are employed at these hospitals.
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The multi-employer association includes HealthEast Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis, HealthEast St. John’s in Maplewood, Children’s Hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Fairview University Medical Center-Riverside Campus, Fairview Southdale in Edina, North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale and Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. More than 3,500 SEIU members are employed at these hospitals.
online pharmacy purchase celexa no prescription with best prices today in the USA
Brad Weisz, a support worker at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, said he and his co-workers would like more input into safety issues by creating a joint employer-union committee on patient care. But so far the multi-employer association has rejected this suggestion.
Minnesota hospital workers suffer twice as many on-the-job injuries as workers in most other state industries, Weisz noted, adding, “Health and safety conditions for hospital workers have a direct impact on the quality of patent care.”
In addition to safety issues on the job, the lack of affordable health care for health care workers is a serious problem, said Tee McClenty, an emergency room technician at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood.
online pharmacy atarax for sale with best prices today in the USA
“It’s important to the community because our health impacts the health of our patients,” she noted.
Workers are Fairview are particularly concerned about a recently instituted health care plan they say costs more and provides less coverage. Geri Weitzel, employed at Fairview Riverside, said her monthly premium for family coverage rose from $272 a month last year to more than $350 a month ? with higher co-pays.
online pharmacy bactroban no prescription pharmacy
“This means we’ve had to make some tough choices,” she said. “We’ve even considered refinancing our home because of these changes.”
Local 113 is calling attention to the health care crisis through its “Together for Quality Care” campaign launched in December.
“This is more than about hospital workers,” said Schnell. “It’s about the lack of affordable health insurance in our state and improving quality care for our patients, our families and our communities. We’re working toward a contract that achieves nothing less.”
Related article
SEIU launches quality health care campaign