One Week of Continued Striking: APPs Joins MNA with Essentia Health Strike

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Advanced Practice Providers, commonly referred to as ‘APPS’, have joined Essentia Health nurses in the ongoing strike.

The MNA held a press conference in Superior Tuesday morning, to provide updates.

For one week now, Essentia Health nurses and providers have been on strike around Minnesota.

APPs from Baxter, Duluth, and Superior joined in on the strike.

“What has been driving APPs to get to the point of unionizing is that there’s been ongoing changes in healthcare that focus more on increasing revenue and asking providers to do more with less, see more patients, have less time with patients, things that really impact our ability to provide care at the bedside,” said Kelly Higgins, Physican Assistant, Superior Essentia Health Clinic.

Something both nurses and providers are asking for is communication.

Several speakers at the press conference highlighted this concern.

“We aren’t asking for conflict. We’re asking for connection, and one respectful conversation can move this mission forward. I care for patients at the end of their lives. It’s sacred work. It deserves support and it deserves stewardship. We care for this community every day, and now we’re asking that the community and Miller Dwan foundation and Essentia to care enough to listen,” explained Dana Bukovich, Nurse Superior Essentia Health Clinic.

One provider said, change is needed.

“The changes that are happening are no longer sustainable for the workforce. And you know, we see decreasing reimbursement from insurance companies. We see an aging population. We know that the healthcare force is really needed, and what we’re doing is trying to make it possible for us to all stay in healthcare,” said Higgins.

“It directly impacts patient access. It’s not just workers who suffer, it’s patients. Delays in care, fewer available appointments and provider burnout are real consequences that rural healthcare patients are already facing,” added Erin Swanson, Nurse Practitioner, Baxter Essentia Health Clinic.

In the meantime, prior to the press conference, Essentia health has said in a press release in part:

“No bargaining while a legal review is underway. The MNA has proposed creating a bargaining unit comprised of over 400 APPs that would span 69 facilities across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Essentia’s position is that an employer ‘may negotiate with, or challenge the certification of, the union; it may not do both at once’.”

In addition, Essentia also said:

“We are deeply grateful for the 241 APPs who have chosen to continue caring for patients amid the strike. That number has consistently increased since the work stoppage began on Thursday, July 10. That 54% of these clinicians are continuing to show up for their patients and communities underscores their commitment to Essentia’s mission of making a healthy difference in people’s lives.”