Union informs SMDC of intent to stage informational picket

Jackie C.
01/19/2010 9:33 AM

For those that will be picketing and then possibly going on strike, ask your Union Rep what happens to your ability to collect unemployment, and receive retraining should SMDC decide to never go back to the table.

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Judy A.
01/16/2010 10:10 AM

It isn't just about money, you obviously don't get it , it's about saving jobs and keeping them in our community...NOT OUTSOURCING! I agree, it's easy to be an "arm chair expert", you may think it doesn't affect you right now. For those who voted yes to the contract, you did what you thought was right for you, I respect that. And now, for those of us who voted "no", we're asking for that same respect for our opinions and doing what we feel is best for us. The patients come first, something SMDC professes but falls short in delivering as far as administration goes...they're busy accumulating properties. It has some of the finest medical people in the country. If you don't believe outsourcing can affect you, ask the people who daily rescued people via helicopter, those helicopters are now owned by others...or the people in medical release ..only 20-25 people (would you want to be one of them?) The information being given out on Jan 25th explains our position and SMDC's...if you don't like it walk on past. I hope other union members in the community who have "been there" will support us.

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AMC J.
Duluth, MN     01/16/2010 9:59 AM

For all those comparing SMDC's Executive wages to those of the President of the U.S., at least the leaders at SMDC are competent and qualified for their jobs, unlike our current President!

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M A.
01/15/2010 5:17 PM

Before lumping every last one of us into a "greedy" and "ungrateful for our jobs" category, it sure would be nice to know the actual numbers of who voted against this contract and who voted for it. Many of us voted to accept this contract and against authorizing a strike. So where does that leave us?? Stewing in our greediness??

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s w.
Saginaw, MN     01/15/2010 4:33 PM

SMDC workers are starting to sound like government workers. Oh, I forgot, that's where all this democrat health care reform is headed. Never mind ...

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Mike S.
Duluth, MN     01/15/2010 12:12 PM

Too bad it's not about -50 with a 40mph wind right about now.

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Real Deal Y.
01/15/2010 11:47 AM

I knew it! I knew there was a sensible union member out there. Thank you Mary Jane W for all that you do and for letting the truth be told. Too bad you don't get the respect from your union that you deserve. Too bad Nendick and crew aren't giving you the information you need. Makes one wonder what this "informational" picket will be informing? We know the issues already, thanks to the newspaper and SMDC Admin. What else is there to inform us about? We know you don't like the offer, and quite frankly it's unfortunate that the business decision has to be made, but it's in the best interest of the company. Sorry, that's life. SMDC's non-contract folks have experienced the exact same thing...no pay increase and position eliminations. Make sure your signs include that information, since you are, in fact, going to be informing us all of something with your little picket.

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diane l.
01/15/2010 11:44 AM

Look up Essentia Health and you will find that it is an affiliate of SMDC. The Senior Leadership Team and Board Member names look awful familiar. SMDC operates, along with Essentia and Innovis Hlth, several dozen facilities that offer multiple services in Mn, Wi, ND, Id and Mt. Why is this never mentioned? In my opinion, SMDC wants to keep growing bigger and bigger. We would stifle their spending, if we the employees, were to be compensated with a cost of living wage or salary increase. SMDC wants all employees to feel as though we are one big happy (dysfunctional) "family". They are taking the "fun" out of dysfunctional. I believe SMDC should take care of "family" first. There will always be room and time for them to expand and grow. We live such a short time, it would be nice to have a little extra in our pockets too. Don't cry fiscal and financial responsibility, when there is no limit to your spending. What are you going to purchase with the $5 and 1/2 million dollars, in profits, earned over and above the projected earnings from July to September? Why does an administrator E-Mail us a scripted response in regards to questions about the strike? I, personally, was highly insulted by that request. The frosting on the cake was the letter, received by mail, from this same administrator, stating, "I respect everyone's right to their opinion." Apparently that "reply" received by E-Mail is my opinion. How much was spent on mailing (secretary, paper, envelopes, ink, time, postage, etc) these letters "To all members of USW Local 9460"? Is this conserving our resources? I enjoy my employment with SMHS, tremendously. I want and need my job, but I do not have to like or agree with all statements or policies set by those "above me". I wish more, in administration, were as professional and thoughtful as my supervisor/manager. SMDC would be a better place.

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James S.
Duluth, MN     01/15/2010 10:52 AM

I would like to see SMDC employees keep their jobs and work at a living wage. It is the responsibility of those employees to determine their own future. Please let me clue you in. You joined the United Steelworkers union, expecting dignity and respect in the workplace in return. To those of you who voted NO, have you been getting dignity and respect in the workplace? Probably not. So what has the Steelworkers leadership done for you? Probably nothing. The hard truth is that the focus of the Steelworkers union bosses has been to collect your dues money, provide enormous financial support to the democrat party, they have formed a Blue-Green Alliance with the Sierra Club, which fights every single economic development project in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin (the market area your employer and job serves) and they send your dues money to that outfit too. Your dues money goes to pay for union bosses, some right from your own work groups, to go on the union payroll during election cycles and whenever there is a rabble-rouser rally anywhere in the United States to protest just about anything you can think of. Maybe many of you don't know that. You have the right, under law, (the Landrum-Griffin Act) to be made aware of these expenditures. But the Steelworkers are famous for not informing members of their rights under Landrum-Griffin. So to those of you who need your jobs, but voted against the last proposal, consider joining another union that will focus on your needs in the workplace, rather than nationwide politicians and the environmental extremist movement. Afterall, you should come first. Think about it for yourself and your families.

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Ed M.
Superior, WI     01/15/2010 10:20 AM

Yes, by all means, informational picket and then strike! After all, look at the great shape that the former auto companies, steel plants and mining employees are in -- after trusting their fate to the Steelworkers Union. Yep, as the jingle goes: "Trust the union label..." right out the door...

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