Healthcare workers at CRMC vote to authorize strike

Healthcare workers employed by Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby have voted to authorize a strike if the bargaining team is unable to reach a tentative agreement with management. The two sides bargained seven times over the last three months, including Monday Oct. 14, and remain divided on key issues. More than 90 percent of SEIU members voted to reject the employer’s proposals and a majority voted to authorize a one-day ULP [Unfair Labor Practices] strike if called by the bargaining committee. There is no strike date set. There must be a 10-day notice before any strike would begin. An update will be shared if a 10-day notice is filed.
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s bargaining team is disappointed there was a vote by union members to authorize a strike while the organization continues to negotiate issues still on the table and the parties have reached tentative agreements on several areas.
CRMC believes SEIU Healthcare Minnesota is targeting its facility because of decertification efforts by some union staff. CRMC also believes union leadership has decided to use the threat of a strike as a bargaining tactic, designed to divide employees and mischaracterize CRMC’s position. The union began negotiations requesting a 27 percent wage increase and have lowered it to an 18 percent increase.
According to the union, the bargaining team have pushed for higher pay, better benefits and strengthened retirement security to help make sure CRMC continues to recruit and retain the right people to provide high-quality care for patients in the Crosby area.
In a press release, CRMC said, “Most union employees are already compensated at or above market rates. CRMC presented a contract proposal that would provide wage increases of six percent over the next three years that would keep our employees compensated higher than market averages and maintain excellent benefits. CRMC is also committed to provide higher, targeted wage increases for positions that may have fallen behind market.
“CRMC came to bargaining table in good faith, has made multiple proposals that are comparable to how the union is settling contracts throughout the state, and is ready today to settle on a fair contract,” said CEO Kyle Bauer. “That does not appear to be the goal of the union.”
On Monday, Oct. 28, CRMC will continue to negotiate economic areas of the contract and is hopeful that the union will work with the organization in this area.
“We feel we have great employees, value them and will continue to be transparent in our negotiations,” said Bauer. He added that annually CRMC benchmarks both wages and employee benefits and it feels strongly that it offers a competitive package. CRMC offers a strong health and retirement plan that all employees have, including physicians.
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota represents 600 healthcare workers working at the hospital, nursing home, assisted living center and the ambulance crew. SEIU members perform nearly every job at CRMC except Registered Nurse, including: Radiologic Technologists, Medical Lab Techs, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Surgical Techs, Paramedics, EMTs, Sterile Processing workers, Skilled Maintenance workers- carpenters/electricians, Business Office Clerical workers, Admissions, Environmental Services, Dietary and more.
Roseanne Mackenthun, a member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota member on the bargaining team and a phlebotomist for 15 years at CRMC, shared her reason for taking this vote.
"I voted to strike because it is time management shows they value the people who work in the buildings as much as they value the fancy new facilities they keep building. We care for everyone who walks through our doors, but too many staff are struggling to care for our families," said Mackenthun. "We are fighting for better wages, benefits and pensions so we can recruit and retain the best staff for our patients. All of us are part of this community and simply want to be valued for what we do every day to make CRMC the best it can be."
A strike authorization vote does not mean a strike is imminent, although the press release said it does place CRMC in the position of having to spend thousands of dollars preparing for the threat of a strike. The strike was authorized only by those union members who chose to vote; not all 600 members actually voted. If a one-day strike is scheduled, it would have serious consequences for all staff and mean disruption in patient care.
“A strike would be devastating to patient care, morale and the bottom line,” Bauer said.
CRMC is experiencing overwhelming growth in orthopaedics and pain management services and a spine surgeon will start providing new services next year. Building new facilities for these expanding services will ensure CRMC’s viability and create more jobs and opportunities. CRMC was founded by the community and it has steadily grown over the years so residents can stay here for their health care.
“We are rising above all the chatter and focusing on the care and safety of our patients and residents,” Bauer emphasized. “We exist to provide service to our patients and the community and will continue doing that.”