UFCW 1189 and Essentia Health (EH) have begun negotiations for our members to obtain a new contract. When EH purchased Mercy Hospital they agreed to recognize the Union but would not recognize our members' contract. In speaking with other employees and other Unions that are in the same process as we are, it looked as though EH wanted to gut the Mercy contracts. The only option before the committee was to bargain for a whole new contract. We knew the process was going to be slow moving and tough and it certainly is.
Stacy Spexet
Union Representative
Union RepresentativeUnion History: I have been a health care worker since 1997 working as a Clinical Assistant for what is now Essentia Health. I had an opportunity to be involved in organizing our clinic in 1999 and with encouragement of a fellow coworker that saw potential I became more and more active. I have been a steward, board member and negotiated numerous contracts before becoming a member of UFCW 1189.Why do you do what you do? I became involved and continue the fight because there is no greater equalizer when it comes to employee rights than being Union. Want equal pay for equal work? Join a union. Want unlimited ways in which you can better yourself? Join a union. Want wages and benefits that can better your way of life? Join a union.