Blog

Community Rally Tonight!

Today is the day! We will be holding a sign holding rally in front of the DECC parking ramp on Railroad Street from 5-7pm. Tonight is the UMD-North Dakota hockey game, of which Essentia Health is one of the sponsors. So we're using that event to make the community aware of our ongoing contract fight with Essentia for the Red Book tech workers. We'll have extra signs on hand. If you make your own, try to make it as easy to read as possible since it'll be dark out and we'll be relying on street lights for illumination. A lot of folks are also asking about parking.

Executive Boad Vacancy: Inner Guard

Executive Board Vacancy: With the election of Jared Jank to the office of the Vice President of our local union, the former position that they had occupied on our Executive Board - the Inner Guard - is now vacant. The Executive Board will be appointing someone to that role at its November meeting. Whoever is appointed to that role will fill out the remainder of the term from now until this coming April, when all local union offices will be up for election.

Nov. 10 Red Book Community Action

Join us for an informational picket on Friday, Nov. 10 5-7pm @ Railroad Street in front of the DECC parking ramp!

Oct. 26 Red Book Negotiations Update

This week was a tough one for negotiations between Essentia Health and our union regarding the Red Book contract.
We started off Monday by making substantial movement on our proposals to narrowing down our priorities. We held strong on wages, and provided Essentia Health with the dozens of job offers submitted by the membership. (Thank you!)

Oct. 20 Red Book Negotiations Update

Update for the Red Book contract negotiations with Essentia Health:  The union had given the company its initial economic proposal back in August.  We asked for a 15% increase for each of the coming three years.  This week the company responded with their initial economic proposal.  They offered a 1% increase for each year, with no increase to call pay, education or shift differentials.  And they gave us a presentation about the non-contract workers’ PTO and benefits package, which they are proposing for our members too.  Keep in mind these are only the initial economic proposals.  Both sid

HOW TO CONTACT OUR OFFICE

We are having some problems with the landline in our office, so right now the (218) 724-5223 number is not working.  If you need to reach us, you can do so via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting this cell number: (218) 391-7793.  Sorry for the confusion.  Let anyone know who is trying to reach us.

Oct. 16 Red Book Update

After more than a gap of more than a month, Essentia Health and the Steelworkers went back to thet able on Oct. 16 for Red Book contract negotiations.  Due to the long gap, almost the whole day was spent by the two sides catching up/reviewing the status of their various proposals - which ones were still on the table and what if any responses had been exchanged over them.  The two sides will be back on the table this coming Wednesday and Friday and hopefully some progress will happen there.

One Year Agreement Ratified With St. Luke's

Thank you to all who came out to vote yesterday, and a big thank you to those who have shown their support during contract negotiations! The majority voted to accept the one year agreement with St. Luke's. Your union Negotiations Committee will be back at the table in a few short months to begin the hard work of winning a more long term fair contract.