First contract wins for Essentia nurses

Submitted by ADonahue on
Group of nurses standing side-by-side, in hospital, smiling

By Lauren Bloomquist

National Nurse magazine - July | August | September 2025 Issue

Over 200 nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) at Essentia Health’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Street clinic locations in Duluth, as well as Essentia Health St. Mary’s Superior Clinic, voted to ratify tentative agreements on their first contracts on Aug. 28. These agreements, which will last through March 31, 2027, mark a significant step forward for ambulatory care nurses organizing to improve patient care and working conditions in clinic settings.

The contracts come after 14 months of negotiations focused on ensuring a strong voice in the workplace, employment confirmation, strengthening workplace protections, and establishing fair compensation for clinic nurses. This is a promising step toward securing a foundation for safe, supportive, and sustainable care in clinics serving Duluth and Superior communities.

Prior to the contract agreement, clinic nurses went on strike from July 8 through July 22, walking off the job to expose Essentia executives’ refusal to negotiate in good faith and their numerous unfair labor practices, such as threats of violence against striking workers and interference in union activities.

Clinic nurses were joined on the strike line by their colleagues at Essentia Health’s Miller Hill Surgery Center, Solvay Hospice House, and the advanced practice providers (APPs) from Essentia’s East Market.

Workers at the clinics decided to end their strike after Essentia agreed to combine the four groups of clinic nurses into one negotiating block and agreed to additional negotiating dates for all first contract workers.

Meanwhile, Essentia continues to stonewall APPs through a stalled legal appeal to the National Labor Relations Board. MNA continues to make it clear that the appeal does not exempt Essentia from bargaining. The APPs formed a legally certified union, and ignoring their voice is unlawful and shortsighted.

While the APPs continued their fight after the strike, the clinic workers returned to the bargaining table. The nurses at the Duluth and Superior clinics returned to the bargaining table and were able to reach an agreement.

“Nurses in our clinics stood together and spoke out for the changes we need to better care for our patients,” said Deanne Budish, RN. “This contract is a first step toward ensuring that every patient in Duluth and Superior clinics receives the safe, timely care they deserve.”

Key wins in the ratified contract include:

  • Workplace safety: Tools and procedures to address workplace violence and provide safer conditions for nurses and patients
  • Wage increases: Competitive raises over the life of the contract to ensure fair compensation and nurse retention
  • Job security and protections: Contractual safeguards for nurses as they establish their first union contracts in ambulatory care

While this contract is a milestone, negotiations at Solvay Hospice House and the Essentia Health Surgery Center-Miller Hill in Duluth are ongoing. Essentia APPs continue to demand Essentia obey the law and come to the bargaining table. MNA health care workers continue their efforts to secure fair contracts across all facilities, with a clear focus on establishing worker protections while ensuring the best patient care.