MINNEAPOLIS — Mental health workers with Allina Health walked off the job Monday morning. The planned, three-day strike is an effort to gain higher wages, better benefits and more safety on the job.
More than 130 mental health workers — who are members of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa — are on the picket lines at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and Mercy Hospital - Unity Campus in Fridley.
This latest strike comes one year after Allina mental health workers unionized.
"Throughout COVID... it was tough working in mental health, in any health field but especially in mental health, and just kind of seeing how our employer treated us during that time really pushed us to unionize and get that support and recognition that we deserve," said Kellie Benson, a senior mental health coordinator for Abbott Northwestern and member of the bargaining team.
The team has been at the bargaining table with Allina Health since January.
Union workers held a one-day strike back in May but the union said they have not made progress since then. The group then voted with 98% support to authorize a three-day strike.
The union is proposing a starting wage of $27 per hour while Benson said Allina is offering the market rate, in the low $20s.
"When they're telling us they're giving fair pay and fair proposals, these are in comparison to the already low market rate and what we're asking is higher than that," Benson said. "It's higher because with inflation and with the way the economy is, to even survive just having this job it needs to be higher."
In a statement on Monday morning, Allina Health said, "The union continues to push for wage and benefit increases that are unrealistic and unsustainable at a time when Minnesota health systems are facing significant financial challenges."
But mental health workers on strike also noted the staffing challenges they're facing, including issues retaining employees.
"Turnover, in our position in particular, has been incredibly high. People are not getting the pay and benefits that they need to make this a sustainable career choice," said Stephanie Stark, a senior mental health coordinator on the bargaining team.
Mental health workers also want protections specific to their job.
"I've been banged up quite a bit; I've been verbally assaulted, physically assaulted," said Eric Linde, who has been a mental health coordinator for more than 30 years. "What we're asking for is just certain guarantees. Like if a staff worked with a patient that has assaulted them before, that they have the right to not work with that patient again. I think that's fair."
Members will be striking Tuesday at Unity, then at Abbott Northwestern on Wednesday. The strike ends Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 a.m.
Their next date back at the bargaining table with Allina Health is scheduled for Oct. 17.
Mental health workers at M Health Fairview also voted to strike Monday, but last week they announced they were pulling the strike notice because of progress made at the bargaining table. M Health Fairview confirmed they were in the midst of a negotiating session on Monday afternoon.
Read Allina Health's full statement, in response to the Unfair Labor Practice strike, below:
Allina Health has negotiated with SEIU 19 times over the last several months to reach an agreement on a first contract that honors the contributions of our employees, while balancing the needs of our patients and other employees.
While we have reached agreement with the union on most non-economic issues, including many workplace safety items, the union continues to push for wage and benefit increases that are unrealistic and unsustainable at a time when Minnesota health systems are facing significant financial challenges.
We are disappointed the union is choosing to take its members on strike, which does not benefit anyone. However, we are prepared to continue caring for our community through the duration of the union’s strike. We look forward to getting back to the bargaining table to continue to work toward an agreement that is fair and recognizes the priorities of both parties.
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