Former Rainbow Health workers say nonprofit canceled bargaining session with union at Minneapolis rally
MINNEAPOLIS — Three weeks after a health clinic abruptly closed in Minneapolis, its former employees said they're still being left in the dark.
Rainbow Health served thousands in the LGBTQ+ community for years as a leading advocate for people living with HIV. Another nonprofit has since stepped in to help fill the service gap, but the clinic's union workers are frustrated with how it was handled.
At a news conference outside the former Rainbow Health location in Minneapolis, workers said Rainbow Health leaders canceled their latest scheduled meeting with them on short notice.
"We still don't know the reason why we lost our jobs," said one former employee.
In the meeting, they were hoping to get answers about the closure and its impact on their clients.
In a Facebook post announcing the closure on July 18, the nonprofit cited "insurmountable financial challenges" for the reason behind its closure. Many of the more than 60 union members said they didn't find out about the closure until a few hours before the announcement. They said their contract requires a 30-day notice.
"This is not good enough! We demand that our contract be honored, and we demand what we are owed," former employee Ash Tifa said.
The former employees are asking for 30 days of pay and unused paid time off.
"We are also demanding an authentic apology and explanation," former employee Lee Start said.
The workers said the thousands of clients Rainbow Health served are now left in limbo.
"This whole experience has been, to say the least, shocking, very distressful and considerably hurtful," said Rick Kutcher, a former employee who also lives with HIV.
After the closure, the Minnesota Department of Human Services entered an agreement with the nonprofit, the Aliveness Project, to help fill the need. The Minneapolis City Council then approved the transfer of a $1.8 million grant that was meant for Rainbow Health, to the Aliveness Project.
"I'm confident that the core services that the community really relies on are going to continue in one shape or form. Will everything come back? No," said the Aliveness Project Executive Director Matt Toburen.
Advocates like Kutcher worry some services will be left behind.
"We gave the culturally specific support and services. We understood and understand our community," he said.
Even though their workplace is gone, the former employees said their commitment to serving some of the most vulnerable communities continues on.
"Clients don't just stop needing support, especially the most marginalized, the most traumatized folks. This is another trauma," Start said.
Rainbow Health issued the following statement on Thursday afternoon:
The Rainbow Health Board of Directors is currently undertaking the dissolution process of our organization. As a part of this process, we are required to submit a Notice of Intent to Dissolve to the Attorney General's Office that provides details on our assets, liabilities, and costs of dissolution. We hope to file that as soon as possible, with a goal of getting it in by Friday, August 16, 2024. Our priority is to meet all legal obligations and ensure assets are distributed in accordance with the law. Our former employees and former clients remain top of mind during this transition. We have had several meetings with the SEIU and our legal counsel met with them again today.
In partnership with DHS (Minnesota Department of Human Services) and the Aliveness Project, we have transferred former HIV care responsibilities to The Aliveness Project. We continue working with local organizations to transfer LGBTQ+ services to appropriate groups.
We understand the significant impact of Rainbow Health's sudden closure on our community, clients, and employees. We had to make the unfortunate decision to close abruptly to ensure we could pay employees for the time they had already worked (this included their wages, health insurance, and retirement contributions). We are doing our best to wind down with limited resources in order to maximize payment on our outstanding debts and other obligations. We ask for your patience as we move through this process and will share more information as we can.
We are deeply grateful for the dedication and support of everyone involved during this challenging time.
If you or someone you know in the LGBTQ+ community needs support, there are numerous resources and services available through Outfront Minnesota, NAMI and Twin Cities Pride.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.
In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text "HelpLine" to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
