APPs join Essentia ULP strike as community support grows and pressure mounts on employer to bargain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Contact: Shannon Cunningham 
(c) 651-269-1418  
Shannon.Cunningham@mnnurses.org     

(Duluth, MN) – July 10, 2025 – On the third day of an ongoing Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike by nurses and healthcare workers at Essentia Health, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) officially joined the walkout, escalating pressure on Essentia to stop violating federal labor law and begin bargaining in good faith. Picket lines expanded across Duluth and Superior, with a new line established in Virginia, Minnesota, as APPs took their place alongside striking clinic workers. 

Despite a clear ruling from the National Labor Relations Board that Essentia should begin bargaining with the APPs’ union, Essentia has continued to defy that order—refusing to meet, refusing to negotiate, and continuing to make unilateral changes to working conditions without bargaining. 

APPs are striking in response to this ongoing unlawful behavior and to demand the same dignity and respect as other unionized caregivers across the system.  

Ongoing illegal behavior
Essentia Health continues to operate under a strategy of delay, denial, and dysfunction. Rather than comply with their legal obligations, Essentia has leaned into union-busting tactics: intimidation, surveillance, retaliation, and refusal to meet with their own employees. 

“Essentia often speaks about their values—Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork—and how they live those values each day,” said Vicky Brady, Nurse Practitioner. “Unfortunately, that has not been reflected in their treatment of advanced practice providers. They have not shown respect by meeting us at the bargaining table. They have not honored the legal obligation outlined in the NLRB’s ruling to begin negotiations, even while their appeal is pending. And they have committed various other unfair labor practices in the meantime, like making changes to our working conditions without negotiating with us.” 

“It’s time for Essentia Health to follow the law, honor its commitments, and begin bargaining in good faith,” said Gidget Peterson, Physician Assistant. “Negotiating costs nothing. Refusing to negotiate—and instead paying $1,500 per shift to a doctor to cover my work, plus another $700 if they come off PTO—is not only unsustainable; it’s an irresponsible use of resources. Especially for a health system that constantly speaks about the challenges of rural healthcare—this kind of spending should raise serious questions.” 

APPs are taking this stand to demand what should be foundational in any healthcare system: a respectful, lawful work environment. Essentia’s refusal to bargain not only violates federal labor law—it actively undermines stability in rural healthcare delivery. At a time when communities face growing challenges accessing care, Essentia is choosing legal obstruction over collaboration, creating unnecessary disruption for patients and providers alike. A respectful work environment starts with respecting the law—and that means showing up to bargain. 

Rep. Angie Craig joins Virginia picket line 

On Thursday morning, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined striking Advanced Practice Providers and healthcare workers on the picket line outside Essentia Health in Virginia, Minnesota, offering words of support and solidarity. 

Craig’s visit added to growing political and public support for the strike. Workers say the presence of elected leaders reinforces the message to Essentia: this is not just a labor dispute—it’s a test of whether employers in Minnesota will follow the law and respect the workers who keep rural healthcare running.  

Momentum on the line
Thursday’s picket lines reflected a growing wave of support. APPs joined workers from multiple Essentia clinics and marched together, showing unity across disciplines. Community members continued to walk the lines, bringing donations and offering words of encouragement. 

The decision to strike was not taken lightly—especially in a field rooted in care—but healthcare workers say Essentia left them no choice. The employer’s refusal to bargain, coupled with a strategy of intimidation and stalling, forced caregivers to take action to protect both their rights and the future of patient care. 

Elsewhere: Acute Care Nurses Ratifications Continue
Nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth and Children’s Hospitals in Minneapolis and Saint Paul voted today to ratify new contracts. 

What’s next
With APPs now on strike and picket lines expanding, Essentia faces escalating public pressure. Nurses, healthcare workers, and APPs are united in their message: Essentia—stop breaking the law. Come to the table. Bargain. Respect your workers.