By LINDSEY FENNER
I was disappointed to read such a glowing article on the completion of the hospital campus renovation at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in the August issue of the alley. Although I know there are countless workers at Abbott who care deeply about their patients and their neighbors, I question whether Allina Health, who runs Abbott Northwestern, has that same committed care for the Phillips Community
-That shiny new Central Utility Plant? Allina violated environmental laws when it started construction on the utility plant without an air emissions permit, and then lied to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency about it. After my reporting in the September 2022 issue of the alley, Allina had to halt construction and they were fined $50,000.
-Union workers at Allina Health are always speaking out about the working conditions they endure, and their concerns about staffing levels and patient care. There are worker strikes against Allina almost every year. Hospice Nurses most recently went on a one-day Unfair Labor Practices strike this past July. Did you know Allina hospice nurses don’t get overtime pay?
-Allina Health is in the process of being acquired by California health giant Sutter Health, over the concerns and objections of community and union workers. Sutter Health has recently settled lawsuits in California for anti-competitive pricing. Healthcare consolidation is also known to negatively impact patient care, working conditions, and increase the cost of care. Workers, healthcare advocates, and faith groups are pushing for a Community Benefits Agreement to protect workers and patients from the negative impacts of a merger between Allina and Sutter.
If you are a huge medical system, in my opinion, it takes more than a token pollinator garden, mural, and community solar garden (of which I am a member!) to show you are a good neighbor.
Lindsey is a fledgling community naturalist watching and writing about the natural world in East Phillips.
