After 5 years Walker Methodist workers finally get to vote on union contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3592

2 April 2008

Minneapolis - After five long years of struggling for justice, Walker Methodist Health Center workers will get their first chance to vote on a union contract Friday.

The workers, represented by AFSCME Local 3532, and Walker management came to a tentative agreement for a first contract in the early morning hours of March 27, the union said.

"This is a tremendous victory for workers, management, the faith community and neighbors in South Minneapolis," AFSCME said in a statement on its website, www.afscmemn.org

Highlights of the agreement include a procedure for scheduling workers and resolving grievances and a wage hike of 1.12 percent. In addition, the union negotiating team fought off the employer's proposals to deny holiday pay and paid breaks for nursing aides.

Walker care center workers voted in May 2003 to join AFSCME, but due to management resistance, it took until April 2007 to have the National Labor Relations Board certify the pro-union vote. Contract negotiations began in May 2007 but dragged on for several months.

Ultimately, it was a state-imposed deadline that may have led to a settlement. To receive a legislated increase in Medical Assistance reimbursements for nursing home care, Walker needed to apply to the State of Minnesota by March 31. State law, however, directs that Walker must have ratified labor agreements to apply for the increase.

The negotiations included two separate contracts for Local 3532's two units at Walker. One unit includes about 350 workers who are nursing assistants or work in food service, maintenance and housekeeping. The other unit includes about 60 LPNs.