Workers at the Albert Lea Medical Center, part of the Mayo Health System, are engaged in a public campaign to build support for a fair contract. A major rally is planned Friday, March 23, at 4:30 p.m. at the gazebo at Broadway and Fountain in Albert Lea.
'We feel that once the community of Albert Lea knows what is at stake, they will support our position,' said Dave Blanchard, business manager for Hotel, Hospital, Restaurant and Tavern Employees Union Local 21, which represents the 118 workers.
Workers at ALMC receive less pay for doing the same jobs than workers at surrounding Mayo Health System facilities. They also pay more for their health insurance. A number of workers pay more than a week's pay for their health insurance and some are eligible for MinnesotaCare, the state's low-income insurance program.
According to figures supplied by the union, pay is higher in every classification at Mayo's facilities in Fairmont and Rochester. For example, a dietary aide at the top of the pay scale earns $9.50 an hour in Albert Lea, but as much as $12.21 an hour in Rochester. Similarly, a nurse assistant at top scale earns $9.50 an hour in Albert Lea, but as much as $12.66 in Rochester.
Health care costs
Differences in health care are equally striking. An Albert Lea Medical Center worker with a family of three pays $570 a month for coverage; the same worker would pay only $142.50 a month in Rochester.
'We're saying there shouldn't be a difference,' said Marlene Baseman, an ALMC housekeeper for 11 years. 'We're all equal there, we're all important.'
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The two sides have been negotiating since September and their contract expired on Nov. 30, 2000. The last talks took place Feb. 15. The contract would cover nursing assistants and escorts as well as the dietary, housekeeping, laundry, utility, and material management departments.
In addition to the rally, the community campaign includes visits with political, community and religious leaders, as well as leaflets to be distributed in the workplace and at busy Albert Lea locations.
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ALMC representatives claim that the package is an equitable one. But Local 21 members scoff at the idea. 'Equitable compared to who?' asked Cathy Bronson, a 22-year employee of ALMC. 'The other workers at ALMC all have better insurance than they are offering us and pay less for it!' Earlier, ALMC negotiated contracts with two other groups of employees that included much lower insurance costs.
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Workers at the Albert Lea Medical Center, part of the Mayo Health System, are engaged in a public campaign to build support for a fair contract. A major rally is planned Friday, March 23, at 4:30 p.m. at the gazebo at Broadway and Fountain in Albert Lea.
‘We feel that once the community of Albert Lea knows what is at stake, they will support our position,’ said Dave Blanchard, business manager for Hotel, Hospital, Restaurant and Tavern Employees Union Local 21, which represents the 118 workers.
Workers at ALMC receive less pay for doing the same jobs than workers at surrounding Mayo Health System facilities. They also pay more for their health insurance. A number of workers pay more than a week’s pay for their health insurance and some are eligible for MinnesotaCare, the state’s low-income insurance program.
According to figures supplied by the union, pay is higher in every classification at Mayo’s facilities in Fairmont and Rochester. For example, a dietary aide at the top of the pay scale earns $9.50 an hour in Albert Lea, but as much as $12.21 an hour in Rochester. Similarly, a nurse assistant at top scale earns $9.50 an hour in Albert Lea, but as much as $12.66 in Rochester.
Health care costs
Differences in health care are equally striking. An Albert Lea Medical Center worker with a family of three pays $570 a month for coverage; the same worker would pay only $142.50 a month in Rochester.
‘We’re saying there shouldn’t be a difference,’ said Marlene Baseman, an ALMC housekeeper for 11 years. ‘We’re all equal there, we’re all important.’
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The two sides have been negotiating since September and their contract expired on Nov. 30, 2000. The last talks took place Feb. 15. The contract would cover nursing assistants and escorts as well as the dietary, housekeeping, laundry, utility, and material management departments.
In addition to the rally, the community campaign includes visits with political, community and religious leaders, as well as leaflets to be distributed in the workplace and at busy Albert Lea locations.
online pharmacy buy elavil online with best prices today in the USA
ALMC representatives claim that the package is an equitable one. But Local 21 members scoff at the idea. ‘Equitable compared to who?’ asked Cathy Bronson, a 22-year employee of ALMC. ‘The other workers at ALMC all have better insurance than they are offering us and pay less for it!’ Earlier, ALMC negotiated contracts with two other groups of employees that included much lower insurance costs.
Related article:
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