A union complaint against Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic is headed to federal court, according to a Post-Bulletin report.
The complaint centers on labor negotiations. Months ago, the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota filed paperwork contending Mayo "failed to bargain in good faith" with union members at its facility in Albert Lea, Minn., according to the article.
Now, the National Labor Relations Board has determined the union's complaint has merit, meaning the complaint will move forward to a hearing with an administrative law judge, reports the Post-Bulletin, citing a board decision released Friday. A date for the hearing has not been set.
Maintenance workers at Mayo's Albert Lea campus have been working without a contract for more than a year due to concerns about language in the contract negotiations with Mayo, according to the report. Two pickets were held as both sides have attempted to reach a labor deal.
"While I'm glad the NLRB General Counsel found in our favor, I really just wish Mayo would sit down and bargain fairly with us," Bill Johnson, who was present for oral arguments, told the Post-Bulletin. "Like many of my co-workers, I've worked for Mayo for over three decades, and I'm proud of our work making sure the Albert Lea hospital stays up and running. We aren't asking for executive salaries, just respect for our work and our dedication to the hospital after all these years. I hope Mayo finally sits down in good faith. It is time to bargain a fair contract so we can continue our work to make the hospital the best it can be for the Albert Lea community."
In response to the NLRB decision, Mayo spokeswoman Ginger Plumbo provided Becker's Hospital Review with a statement, noting that the hearing is part of the overall process.
"Regarding the NLRB General Counsel's referenced position on the Albert Lea maintenance employee contract negotiations, an administrative law judge will now hold a hearing to determine the validity of the union's allegations about contract bargaining. We are confident that Mayo Clinic Health System has bargained in good faith and await the outcome of the hearing," the statement reads.
In a separate issue, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota has also filed a complaint against Mayo over plans to outsource its food service department, according to the report.
For months, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota has fought Mayo's plan to switch from Sodexo to Morrison Healthcare for food and nutrition services.
The union has held at least two rallies to protest Mayo's plan. Additionally, more than 30 legislators signed a petition asking Mayo to reconsider its food service decision, with many expressing concerns it would result in reduced employee salaries, according to the Post-Bulletin.
Mayo has contended local employees will be offered jobs for the same pay, and that the change "will allow us to deliver consistent and enhanced food and nutrition options to our patients, visitors and staff."
Mayo said it had two negotiation sessions last week with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota regarding the food service contracts. "The discussions have been productive and we have set an additional future date for negotiations," Mayo added.