Approximately 140 physicians at the Mercy and Unity hospital campuses in Coon Rapids and Fridley have officially unionized. The National Labor Relations Board affirmed their decision to be represented by the Doctors Council SEIU over legal challenges brought by their employer, Allina Health.

The inpatient doctors supported unionization in a 67-38 vote held by secret ballot March 27 and March 28 of last year, and then defended the process in a public hearing . Allina Health contested the results, including 20 challenged ballots, but later accepted the NLRB ruling.

During the process, union organizers accused the health system of intimidation tactics and “invasion of personal communications,” according to Gabrielle Cicourel Omara, lead organizer with the Doctors Council.

A spokesperson for Allina issued a written statement on Friday indicating they will proceed with negotiations: “We had committed to taking steps to make sure the National Labor Relations Board’s process was fair to all involved. We will not be taking any additional procedural action and will prepare to begin negotiating a first contract. As we move forward, we remain focused on ensuring Allina Health remains a top place to work in health care and an industry leader for quality patient care.”

Last October, hundreds of primary and urgent-care providers — including doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants — across more than 50 clinics operated by the Allina Health System in Minnesota and Wisconsin voted to join the same union. The result set up what could be the largest group of unionized physicians in the private sector. That process is ongoing.

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