Essentia Health Regional Clinics Update #2

The union and Essentia Health had another negotiating session for the Regional Clinics (Ely, Hibbing, Spooner, Hayward and Ashland) today. There was a modest amount of progress on some of the remaining non-economic issues under discussion. For example the company, which is no longer doing General Orientation sessions for new hires at the Duluth campus, will now allow us to meet with new hires on site within two weeks of being hired. There was also clarification agreed upon regarding the current contract language dealing with MTO (Mandatory Time Off) and what is supposed to happen in low need situations. The union was able to make their initial economic proposals, and we expect a company response at the next negotiating session – which will be on June 14.