Chequamegon Clinic Negotiations Update #2

USW had another economic bargaining with Aspirus St. Luke's for our next contract. Aspirus' proposals include:

• 1.5% raises per year
• 1.5% for each year of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Elimination of step increases and Wage Grid
• Aspirus has proposed a Min, Mid and Max table. That Means our CBA would be have a minimum and maximum wage and that there is no more steps if you work 2080 hours. The only way you are guaranteed an increase is the annual increase every August.  The Employer did propose a market analysis but when USW looked at the numbers – the minimum and maximum were less than what we have currently in the contract but there was 8 jobs they stated that would show a market adjustment.
• Cuts to holiday pay
• Employer wants to reduce the number of holidays and then if the employees work, they get time and one half vs double time.
• Changes to health insurance protections
• Employer wants to change to ALL NON-Contract plans with no guarantee that of keeping the percentage to the monthly premium or HAS.
• The Employer does provide Vision Care at the Employee cost
• Removal of Current Vacation/Sick and PTO
• Employer is proposing to take the current Vacation/Sick and PTO programs.
• Employer is proposing a lower accrual rate for Vacation and Sick, plus the sick accrues the maximum of 7 days per year if you are full time.
• Employees will not lose what they have currently have but that will go into another bucket to use.

Simply put, they are asking workers to accept less while the cost of living continues to rise.  Now more than ever, we need your support and solidarity as bargaining continues. Our Next Bargaining is 10/27/26. Please contact your President – Sue Wagner Thomas @ 218-724-5223 and Staff Representative Michele Fredrickson @ 218-750-2828.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU ON YOUR CONCERNS ABOVE