Union service workers at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea announced Thursday they intend to strike later this month regarding conflict over a new contract.

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota announced it is filing a 10-day notice of intent to hold a one-day unfair labor practice strike Dec. 19.

The group includes 79 members who work as certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, sterile processing and utilities and materials management workers.

The development came as the two sides work on a multi-year contract. Conflict was sparked after the union objected to a clause that union benefits could change in accordance with a change in benefits for non-unionized employees.

“I wish Mayo would appreciate our community and the people who keep the wheels turning in the hospital,” union housekeeper Marlene Baseman said in a press release. “Mayo’s actions affect everyone in the community, so that is why I’m willing to take this stand.

“What frustrates me is that at the bargaining table, we have been willing to give and give and give, and when it is Mayo’s turn to compromise, they haven’t given an inch. They seem to want to throw away all of what we have now. They offer us pennies and cut back at our hospital while we see them spending big bucks in other places.”

In an email Thursday, Mayo Clinic spokeswoman Ginger Plumbo said the hospital system has not received official notice from the union that it plans to strike.

“It is unfortunate that the union would put out a press release prior to fulfilling their legal obligation,” she said. “If in fact the union has decided to call a strike, it is regrettable that they would deliberately subject our hard-working employees to uncertainty, anxiety and lost wages at this time of year.”

Plumbo said the hospital is “especially disappointed” the union is calling a strike, since the SEIU general group composing the majority of the impacted workers didn’t request a bargaining session between May and last week and a recently-scheduled meeting with the union did not occur.

“We cannot let the union’s decision compromise patient care, and we have previously informed the union that we must bring in replacement workers to ensure there are no disruptions,” she said. “Due to contractual obligations to the replacement workers that are standard industry practice, the union’s decision means striking employees will be out of work for one week from the commencement of any strike.”

The union is alleging the hospital system “threatened” to lock out workers for seven days if they had a one-day strike after the general group voted to authorize a one-day strike.

“This aggressive move was seen by the union as clearly meant to be a threat to stop workers at the hospital from making their voices heard through their legally-protected right to strike,” the press release stated.

In the press release, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota President Jamie Gulley called it “very troubling that Mayo decided to casually threaten employees with a Christmas lockout.”

“I know working people, and the whole Albert Lea community, won’t be intimidated by threats from Mayo executives,” he said. “The workers and the community are united for what is right. Over the last few years, it has become clear that Albert Lea workers, patients and community members are ready and willing to fight for good jobs and good health care in our community.

“It is time Mayo listens to families in Albert Lea instead of apparently only focusing on their bottom line while sitting in their executive suites.”

Longtime plant operation engineer Nate Johnson said in the press release he voted to join the strike to provide job security so employees can provide for their families.

“We reached across the bargaining table and agreed to much of what they asked from us, but now the bar has moved and they are demanding the ability to subcontract away our jobs,” he said. “We have seen that Mayo will subcontract an entire department by what they did to the food service workers last year.

“The rules changed when we saw that happen. We think we aren’t that far away from a deal if Mayo would be willing to meet us halfway and stop demanding the ability to outsource our jobs.”

Plumbo said the hospital system values the contributions and role maintenance and service employees have in the health system.

“We remain committed to providing them fair wages and benefits,” she said. “The employees are being offered the same Mayo Clinic benefits package that is enjoyed by virtually all other allied health employees, which we strongly believe is better as a whole than the benefits they currently receive.”

Gulley said the contract is allowing employees to fight back against the hospital system.

“Families in Albert Lea are simply fighting for good jobs and a commitment from Mayo to show that they value the Albert Lea community,” he said. “For skilled maintenance workers, they have been without a contract for two years, and the general group for over a year.

“Mayo continues to insist on rolling back protections for workers and won’t budge on their demands to strip basic security and respect from people who have dedicated decades of experience to their community hospital. It is a slap in the face to the whole community.”