SEIU MN & IA members ratify agreement with Planned Parenthood for first union contract
MINNEAPOLIS — SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa members who work at Planned Parenthood North Central States ratified their first tentative agreement on Wednesday evening, which they are calling "historic."
The agreement was ratified with 84% support from members. The three-year agreement goes into effect immediately, retroactive to Jan. 1.
Union efforts began in 2022, when 430 workers came together to begin the collective bargaining process. Since then, workers have spent more than 37 separate sessions to ratify their contract.
"I am so proud of the amazing work done by PPNCS staff every day supporting our patients and communities, providing reproductive healthcare. As a bargaining team member for the final stretch of our negotiations, I saw firsthand how much work went into getting this contract, and I'm thankful to our membership for ratifying this historic agreement," said PPNCS triage nurse, Nicole Anschutz. "We didn't win everything we need, and our fight will continue for both abortion rights and worker rights, but today we celebrate that our over 440 amazing members now have all the protections and progress that come with the ratification of our first union contract!"
The ratified contract guarantees the following for employees:
- Increased pay for all union members over the next three years by at least 14.75%.
- The minimum wage has been increased to $19/hour for all roles.
- Locked in benefits including health care, dental, vision, 403B contributions, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability, and paid time off, while reducing the out-of-pocket costs for medical plan premiums.
- Expanding or improving benefits including bereavement leave, volunteer time off, earned extended leave, and protected time for completing immigration and work authorization processes for employees and their families.
- Professional development and continued education funding for each employee's continued growth.
- Further clarity and stability in job duties, work hours, and schedules.
- A subcommittee for greater accountability from every member of the organization to foster a just and learning organization striving for equity and inclusion.
- The creation of a committee between employees and management so that they can discuss issues covered under the contract.
Employees protected under this new contract include workers in reproductive healthcare, comprehensive sexual health education, political advocacy, among other roles that help people across the Midwest access safe abortions and other essential health services.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to invest in the dedicated people who make Planned Parenthood possible. The ratification of our first union contract is yet another example of how our staff is committed to advancing and protecting sexual and reproductive health care for all—both inside our organization and within the community," said President and CEO of PPNCS, Ruth Richardson. "This contract provides stability as we face rising costs for providing care and looming threats from courts and legislatures around the region. It will enrich the work environment at Planned Parenthood and lead to an even better standard of high-quality care for our patients."