Essentia Health recognizes the UFCW Local 1189 as the union representing nearly 50 employees in Duluth and Superior. Negotiations began on March 6, 2023. Essentia Health is committed to working through the usual process of bargaining in good faith to come to a mutually agreeable contract.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – November 29, 2023 Update

We are pleased to announce that the UFCW Pharmacist Unit, representing nearly 50 pharmacists in Duluth and Superior, has voted to ratify a new, mutually beneficial collective bargaining agreement with Essentia Health.

We believe this agreement will help us continue serving our patients with the care they expect and deserve, and we are grateful for the collaboration with the UFCW bargaining team to reach this positive conclusion.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – November 20, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit met in person on November 20, 2023, to continue negotiations. The parties reached a tentative agreement for a new three-year contract. As part of that agreement, the bargaining committees of Essentia and UFCW recommended ratification of the agreement. The ratification vote is scheduled for November 29.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – November 2, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit met in person on November 2, 2023, to continue negotiations. The parties had productive discussions around wages and collaborated on options for compensation strategies.

Negotiations will continue at the next bargaining session, scheduled for November 20.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – October 5, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit met in person on October 4 and 5, 2023 to continue negotiations. The session was constructive and positive in tone.

The parties made significant progress over the two days, and tentative agreements were reached on all outstanding proposals except for wages.

Negotiations will continue at the next bargaining session scheduled for November 2.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – September 25, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit met on September 25, 2023 for a ninth session to continue negotiations.

Discussion today centered mainly on topics related to staffing, professional development, and compensable bargaining time. The parties made limited progress on these items and we are hopeful for more productive discussions when the parties continue bargaining in person next week. Those sessions are scheduled for October 4 and 5.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – August 23, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit continued contract negotiations on Monday, August 21 and Tuesday, August 22, and were accompanied by a representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

At the beginning of Monday’s bargaining session, the union re-shared its economic proposals and rejected Essentia’s most recent proposals. Essentia responded by proposing two mini-bundles with the intent of keeping discussions focused and productive.

The first mini-bundle related to open staffing priorities and the second centered on education time and professional development benefits. The Parties proceeded to have constructive discussions regarding both proposals and exchanged additional proposals over the remaining time Monday and through Tuesday.

The next bargaining session in scheduled for September 25, with at least one additional date scheduled in October.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – August 15, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit continued negotiations during bargaining sessions on August 14 and 15, 2023 with a representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Over the last two days, with the assistance of the federal mediator, the parties reached three tentative agreements regarding PTO hours, removing the cap on step hours, and changes to the way seniority hours are calculated.

Some staffing priorities and numerous economic items remain on the table. The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for August 21 and 22.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – July 11, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit continued negotiations during a half-day bargaining session on July 11, 2023. A representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service remains at the bargaining table to support productive discussions.

During the last bargaining session on May 25, 2023, Essentia provided its first economic package proposal to the union. Despite having Essentia’s proposal for six weeks, the union did not present any counterproposals. During today’s bargaining session, the union asked several questions and made a new request for information. Essentia responded to several of the union’s questions at the bargaining table, then gathered the remaining information requested and provided it to the mediator to share with the union.

Essentia is hopeful the union will provide a counteroffer at the next session, currently scheduled for August 8.*

We look forward to continuing negotiations towards a mutually beneficial contract and have additional bargaining dates scheduled for August 14-15 and 21-22.

*NOTE: The session for August 8 was canceled as members participating in negotiations were needed to support patient needs. The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for August 14-15.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – May 25, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit continued negotiations on May 23 and 25, 2023. The parties met for two half-day sessions and Essentia presented its first economic package proposal. As part of the presentation, Essentia detailed the specific benefit plan proposals in the package and provided information regarding the broader health care economic landscape.

A representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service remains at the bargaining table to support productive discussions.

We look forward to continuing negotiations towards a mutually beneficial contract at the next bargaining session, currently scheduled for July 11, 2023. This was the first available date for all parties, including the mediator. The parties will continue to look for additional dates to continue bargaining in July and August.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – May 17, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit continued negotiations on May 16-17, 2023.

Much of the two-day session focused on discussions related to outstanding staffing proposals. Limited progress was made with additional proposals being carried over for further discussion.

At the end of the second day, the union presented its revised list of economic proposals. Essentia will review the union proposals and respond at the next bargaining session. 

A representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service also joined at the bargaining table on the second day to support discussions moving forward.

We look forward to continuing negotiations towards a mutually beneficial contract at the next bargaining sessions, currently scheduled for May 23 and May 25, 2023.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – May 2, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit continued negotiations on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

The parties made progress on several outstanding proposals related to staffing and scheduling. A representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service also joined at the bargaining table to support productive discussions moving forward.

We look forward to continuing negotiations towards a mutually beneficial contract at the next bargaining sessions, currently scheduled for May 16-17, 2023.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – April 21, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit representing pharmacists in Duluth and Superior continued negotiations, meeting for a third multi-day bargaining session on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21.

The parties had cordial discussions which narrowed outstanding issues and ultimately reached tentative agreements on a number of key issues, including updates to probationary period and progressive discipline language. The parties also made progress on a number of proposals related to staffing. The union provided its list of economic proposals, which Essentia will review ahead of the next bargaining session.

The parties have agreed to extend the current contract. We look forward to continuing negotiations towards a mutually beneficial contract at the next bargaining session, currently scheduled for May 2, 2023.

Essentia Health and UFCW Pharmacist Bargaining – April 12, 2023 Update

Representatives from Essentia Health and the UFCW Pharmacist Unit (representing pharmacists in Duluth and Superior) began bargaining for a new labor agreement on March 6, 2023. Since then, the parties have held two multi-day bargaining sessions, on March 6-7 and March 20-22, and negotiations have focused mainly on non-economic  items.

The parties have reached tentative agreements on several  items including internal vacancy posting process changes. We are having ongoing discussions on various other non-economic priorities from both parties.

We will continue to bargain in good faith toward a mutually beneficial contract at the next bargaining session, currently scheduled for April 20-21.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below is a representative sample of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the bargaining process and what it means for UFCW Pharmacists and Essentia Health.

Essentia Health recognizes the UFCW Local 1189 as the union representing nearly 50 pharmacists in Duluth and Superior.

Essentia Health began meeting with the UFCW on Monday, March 6, 2023, and will be meeting with the UFCW periodically as negotiations progress.

The current agreement expires on April 30, 2023.

Essentia Health has a history of reaching successful agreements with the UFCW and we are committed to reaching a similar outcome with employees represented by the UFCW this year.

We also remain committed to providing seamless, high-quality care to our patients and their families while we work through the bargaining process.

Essentia Health is committed to working through a range of issues of interest to both parties in a deliberate way through the usual process of bargaining in good faith.

Yes, we will continue to provide appropriate updates on this site through the process.

Still Have a Question?

For additional information or relevant questions not addressed here, email the Essentia Health team at bargaining@essentiahealth.org.