Blog

Union Update for Essentia Health Workers

Multiple media outlets announced last night that Essentia Health was placing 500 employees who are not involved in direct patient care on a special administrative leave. We have not been given a list of job titles and positions that Essentia has included into that number, but we have been informed by a few of our members that their department supervisors were placed on leave yesterday.    Ultimately, the union was extremely surprised that the company made this move last night because the union and the company are still negotiating the specific details of what a special administrative leave

Update for St. Luke's Hospital Tech and Chequamegon Clinic Workers

Yesterday afternoon the union had a meeting with the manager of St. Lukes Employee Labor Relations, John Moores to discuss the current and possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic faced by our members. SLH insists it has no plans for targeted layoffs at this time.  A number of workers have been sent home, mostly on voluntary low need (ATO), but some of our members have been mandatorily sent home (MTO). There has been no change to the FTEs or eligibility of benefits for those who are currently being assigned ATO or MTO.

St. Luke's Child Care Match Program

Below is some information that St. Luke's sent to the union about their Child Care Match program.  We also urge members to check our earlier post about emergency child care options available in Wisconsin and Minnesota through YMCA and the school districts.

St. Luke’s recognizes the hard times many of you are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Struggling to find child care for your children is a concern we have heard from many of you. We want to remind you that many schools in the area are providing care for school-aged children of healthcare workers, but understand you may have very young children or you may want your children to practice social distancing to a greater degree than what is available in school care or other programs.

Access to the Union Office

FYI: Starting on March 30 the Duluth Labor Temple, where our union office is located, will be closed to the public due to the pandemic.  However, our office will continue to function and you can reach us by phone or email, but you won't be able to physically stop in. Our phone number is (218) 724-5223 and email is [email protected]

Child Care Options for Healthcare Workers During the Pandemic

Below is a list of some resources for members who are looking for child care now that children have been sent home in both Wisconsin and Minnesota due to the coronavirus.

All YMCAs are offering childcare to essential workers, such as health care workers. There is a YMCA in Duluth, Superior, Virginia, and Grand Rapids.  Contact your local YMCA to find out more info, like hours.  For example, we know the Superior YMCA offers child care from 7am-5:30pm Monday through Friday.

All School Districts in Minnesota are also providing free child care to school age kids of health care workers.  Contact your local school district for find out the hours and locations.  For example, the school district in Duluth offer child care from 6:30am to 6:30pm at Piedmont, Lowell, Stowe, Congdon, Laura MacArthur, Homecroft, Myers Wilkins, Lester Park and Lakewood.

Update for Essentia Health Workers

Last night, the Local was able to have a brief meeting with Sara Dorfman, Essentia Health's Director of Employee Labor Relations (ELR), to address multiple concerns and questions that our membership has brought forth. The main thing we learned was that the company is currently compiling data from all of the departments and sites about what their specific staffing needs are now that non-essential procedures and appointments have been pushed back. The company will be processing that data during the second half of this week and will start acting on it next week.
 
We have scheduled another meeting with ELR for Friday morning, to get an update on where they are in their planning process and we will also be having subsequent discussions and then next week with ELR as things continue to unfold.

Steward Training & Monthly Meetings Cancelled

With the spread of the coronavirus the CDC, state and local authorities are all calling for folks to practice social distancing and avoid unnecessary gatherings.  The City of Duluth, for example, is shutting down all non-essential municipal services at the end of today.  As health care workers, many of us are being asked to soldier on and continue to go to work.  However, we want minimize the possible spread of this virus in any way we can as.  So, after much consideration, and with the health and safety of our members and their families foremost in our mind, the local union has decided to cancel the monthly membership meeting, the Executive Board meeting and the steward training that had all been scheduled for March 17. 

Upcoming Conferences

***UPDATE*** BOTH OF THESE CONFERENCES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINETELY.

This year the United Steelworkers will be holding their International Convention in Las Vegas from August 2-5.  In preparation for that convention, there will be a Women of Steel conference from April 24-25 and a District 11 conference from April 26-29.  Both the Women of Steel and the District 11 conference will be held at the same location in Riverside, Missouri.  At our January membership meeting we voted to send up to 12 delegates to the Women of Steel Conference, and 20 to the District 11 conference.