(C) Minnesota Reformer
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Planned Parenthood workers protest union leader’s termination at state Capitol [1]
['Max Nesterak', 'More From Author', '- April']
Date: 2023-04
Dozens of Planned Parenthood workers rallied outside the Minnesota House chamber on Monday night, chanting “Give Grace her job back” and “Union busting is disgusting.”
The chants could be heard inside the chamber, where state representative and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States Ruth Richardson was listening to her colleagues debate a large jobs bill.
Workers at Planned Parenthood, who voted to unionize with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa last July, say the organization has retaliated against the entire bargaining team responsible for negotiating wages, benefits and working conditions for hundreds of employees across five states.
Two members of the bargaining committee have been fired, while the other members have received “final written warnings,” which says they can be terminated immediately if they violate any other policy. Workers say the terminations and disciplinary actions are based on exaggerated claims of misconduct that aim to intimidate union leaders.
The union went public with their complaints in March, after Planned Parenthood North Central States fired Grace Larson, a licensed practical nurse in Minnesota and elected member of the bargaining committee.
Larson said she was terminated for sending a whistleblower email to another organization about a co-worker accused of assault; she said Planned Parenthood told her it was retaliation.
“I’m here tonight to get some answers from Ruth about why I still don’t have my job back,” Larson said outside the Minnesota House chambers, flanked by fellow workers with signs saying “Give Grace her job back.”
The group sent a note into the chamber to Richardson, a Democrat from Mendota Heights who took the helm in October of the Planned Parenthood affiliate covering Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas.
Richardson, who declined to comment on personnel matters to the Reformer, did not come out to meet with the group.
The workers then marched to her office and left a note for her, saying they will be back on May 15 if they don’t receive a response to their demands: Reinstate Larson and create a “fair process” for dealing with discipline as they negotiate their first labor contract.
Richardson sent a handwritten note to union leaders.
“Welcome to the people’s house!” the note reads. “I respect your right to be here. That said, I’m here representing my constituents and not (Planned Parenthood.)”
Richardson’s note said it was inappropriate for her to discuss personnel matters, and that the organization would be cooperating with the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees private sector unions and is investigating Larson’s termination following a complaint by SEIU.
The two sides continue to negotiate their first labor agreement, which will cover more than 400 workers, including nurses, clinicians, administrative assistants, educators and other workers.
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