Workers at Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation overwhelmingly rejected the company's last offer and voted to allow the union to call a strike if necessary.

United Steelworkers Local 9349 represents more than one hundred workers at the facility, formerly known as Leisure Hill.

"We have been in negotiations since November. It's been difficult because we don't believe that the company is negotiating in good faith," said Tammy Poppe, negotiating committee member and treasurer for Local 9349.

The main issues for the workers are forced overtime, job security, health and safety, and a list of company-proposed takebacks.

"If it was about money, none of us would be here, we do this job because we care about people and it's difficult when the company shows us little respect at the negotiating table," said employee Diane Rent.

"We are committed to the residents of Guardian Angels, we are committed to our fellow workers and we are committed to this community. In good conscience our members could not accept what the company has offered us. We implore the company to come back to the table and start seriously negotiating a fair contract," stated Unit Chair Linda Donat.

United Steelworkers Staff Representative Tara Widner noted the company was unwilling to come back to the negotiating table unless the union would gut many key articles of the contract. At this time, no further contract negotiations have been scheduled.

The United Steelworkers (USW) is the largest industrial union in the United States, representing over 850,000 workers in the United States and Canada. The Steelworkers represent over 15,000 workers in Minnesota, including more than 4,300 health care workers.