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One Day Strike Held at North Shore Estates in Duluth

At 7am on May 13 the LPNs went out on strike at the North Shore Estates.  The strike is set to go for 24 hours.  Picketing took place from 7am to about noon, with a rally and press conference held at 11am.

North Shore Estates is part of Monarch Healthcare.  The LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) joined the Service Employees International Union last year, and have been negotiating with the company ever since to get their first contract.  Most of the rest of the workers at the site are already part of SEIU.

Negotiations have been slow and frustrating.  Monarch is refusing to pay and offer the same benefits that not only LPNs at other Monarch facilities already get, but they're refusing to match that which the other union worker at North Shore Estates get.  This miserly foot dragging by the company is even more amazing considering that there are only three LPNs in the whole facility.  This frustration led to the workers deciding to take the step of a one day strike.

 In addition to the LPNs from the facility, the picket line was joined by staffers from SEIU, as well as members of the United Steelworkers, AFSCME, North East Area Labor Council, Teamsters, the Northwoods Socialist Collective and other supportive citizens.  The picket received an overwhelming positive response from passing motorists - powerfully demonstrating how Duluth is a union town!

We with the SEIU the best of luck in their continued negotiations with North Shore Estates.  And we'll be sure to keep our readers abreast of any developments, or additional opportunities to show solidarity with these overworked and underpaid workers.

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