DULUTH — About 415 advanced practice providers in Essentia’s East Market voted to join the Minnesota Nurses Association. Essentia Health plans to challenge the decision with an appeal to the National Labor Relations Board. The results of the election vote to unionize were announced during a news conference Tuesday.
The Essentia East Market extends from Brainerd north to International Falls and east to Ashland and Hayworth in Wisconsin. Its nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists have been organizing for months. These providers offer primary, surgical and specialty care at hospitals and clinics in many rural communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
ADVERTISEMENT According to a news release from the MNA, the health care workers wanted to unionize to have a stronger voice in addressing workplace issues such as better compensation, work/life balance and patient loads. According to Essentia, the health system has doubled its number of advanced practice providers and invested in their education and training over the past decade. “Our commitment to these providers is reflected in a current turnover rate of 6.
5%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 11%,” Essentia stated. “On average, APP pay has increased 5.3% per year or 21.
2% over the past four years. Essentia’s APP pay range is $110,000-$185,500.” The providers filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board on Nov.
27 to be represent.