Planned Parenthood Workers In Minnesota Vote To Unionize

MINNEAPOLIS — Planned Parenthood workers in Minnesota and other upper Midwest states Thursday voted to form a union with Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Of the 429 employees eligible to vote 238 voted to form a union with SEIU, while 26 voted against unionizing, the organization said. The vote means that Planned Parenthood workers in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota will be represented by SEIU.

Once the vote results are certified by the National Labor Relations Board, the union will begin a collective bargaining process with Planned Parenthood of the North Central States (PPNCS).

"PPNCS welcomes Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa as the representative of bargaining unit employees," Molly Gage, Vice President of Human Resources for PPNCS, said in a statement.

"At a time when reproductive rights and the freedom of bodily autonomy are under intense attack, we will work with SEIU to support our employees, and to strengthen public policy, and improve access to abortion and all sexual and reproductive health care and education."