Essentia Health Workers Picket to protect mental health services

DULUTH, Minn. — Dozens of Essentia Health Workers held an informational picket to Protect Critical Mental Health Services.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 9460 have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board over Essentia’s decision to transition recreational therapists into related behavioral health technician roles.
The union is urging Essentia to prioritize patient care over profits and to protect the jobs of recreational therapists.

“I’ve had time speaking to some of the people that are going to be taking over what it is that I do, and they’re all scared,” said Stephen Walker, a recreational therapist
at Essentia Health.

The union says there is a petition on their Facebook page that community members can sign.

Essentia Health provided the statement below.

To better meet the needs of Essentia Health’s patients, we are transitioning recreational therapists into related behavioral health technician (BHT) roles at Essentia Health-Duluth. This change will impact the equivalent of five full-time positions and does not involve layoffs or reductions in pay. These teams do important, valuable work , and the change is designed to ensure more consistent staffing, so our patients and colleagues have the support they need. We respect our colleagues’ right to hold an informational picket and will continue to move through this process in accordance with our contract.