Local 9460 in Minnesota is planning to rally around their fellow workers at Essentia Health as the major health care system announced 900 permanent layoffs, including hundreds of USW members, amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
These cuts, which make up 6 percent of the company’s workforce, are in addition to the 850 employees who have been placed on administrative leave across several locations and are expected to remain so until at least July 31. Meanwhile, Essentia received $42 million in CARES Act stimulus funding and around $3.1 million in grant funding.
The local plans to organize several actions, including a drive-by picketing on June 1. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming Local 9460 events in support of the essential workers at Essentia.