Another meeting could be scheduled in January

Mayo Clinic Health System and workers represented by the Service Employees International Union participated in a six-hour bargaining session Thursday, less than one week after the workers returned after lodging a one-day strike.

The contract involves about 80 SEIU members who work as certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, sterile processing and utilities and materials management workers in Albert Lea.

“It was nice that after a year, Mayo finally at least acknowledged that bargaining means them giving a little bit, even if we still haven’t gotten to where they are meeting us halfway,” said Marlene Baseman, an SEIU member and longtime housekeeper at the Albert Lea hospital, in a press release. “We shouldn’t have to fight this hard for basic respect, good jobs and decent health care in Albert Lea, but Mayo executives have made clear that us coming together and fighting back against Mayo greed is our only option to win what is right.”

Union members went on strike after SEIU objected to a clause in the contract that union benefits could change in accordance with a change in benefits for non-unionized employees.

SEIU internal organizer Kassie Hobbs said after the bargaining session the provision is “still on the table.”

After the meeting, Mayo Clinic spokesman Karl Oestreich declined to comment on details of the bargaining session.

He said the hospital is focused on helping its workers during the contract process.

“Mayo is focused on continuing to negotiate in good faith toward an agreement where patients come first, our employees are valued and respected and where Mayo can continue to innovate and grow to serve the residents of the region,” he said.

Baseman said she was pleased the hospital system agreed to negotiate.

“Because we didn’t let them intimidate us or turn us against each other, we have proven we have the unity and strength to win what we know is right,” Baseman said in the release. “We still have work to do, but it is clear that by sticking together as a group — along with the amazing community support we received during the Christmas lockout — we are finally getting Mayo’s attention.”

According to SEIU, the union offered bargaining dates in January and is waiting for Mayo to respond.