Doctors At 2 Allina Health Campuses Seek Union Representation

COON RAPIDS, MN — Physicians at Allina Health's Unity and Mercy campuses on Tuesday filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for a union representation election.

Physicians seek to organize with the Doctors Council SEIU to bargain over working conditions. They seek to reduce workforce burnout and "moral injury" through union representation.

"Doctors are looking to take back our voice and strengthen our input in healthcare," said Frank Proscia, President of Doctors Council SEIU. "We are delighted to welcome Minnesota physicians into our union."

"I'm voting to join Doctors Council because I have seen firsthand the impact that unexpected changes in employment conditions and benefits can have on our lives and mental wellbeing," said Alia Sharif, MD, Internal Medicine.

In an email to Patch, Allina Health said that "we deeply respect and value our physicians, their contributions to our organization, and the critical services they provide our community."

"We are aware some physicians at Mercy Hospital are pursuing union membership, and we respect their rights as employees to support or oppose a union," the statement continued.

"We are committed to maintaining our culture of collaboration and communication. We are concerned that a union environment will create conflict, complication, and unnecessary complexity."

In December, a potential strike involving 15,000 nurses was narrowly averted after a new contract was agreed to between the Minnesota Nurses Union and several Minnesota hospitals, including Allina Health.

The MNA and hospital executives had been locked in contract negotiations for eight months, with executive vs. nurse wages and chronic understaffing issues at the forefront.