Mayo Clinic food service will see a raise with new contract deal

(ABC 6 News) – Mayo Clinic food service workers will see a raise under a new contract agreement with their employer Morrison Healthcare.

The contract agreement comes after a picket in August when workers said negotiations had stalled.

“Our first negotiation sessions were in May. We did not see a proposal with significant wage increases until the very last proposal in October,” said Leslie Kaup.

The new agreement means employees can keep their current retirement and health insurance plans. It also means a minimum 7.5% raise, with an additional 10.5% increase over the next five years. Workers will also get higher paid time off accrual rates.

With high inflation and persistent worker shortages, Kaup says this contract could help her pay bills, “We’re all very relieved. Having a significant wage increase for me means that I’ll be able to afford my heat bill.”

Kaup also hopes it will help attract more workers, saying her kitchen usually has three cooks, but right now they are down to two.

Morrison Healthcare responded in a statement saying, in part, “The tentative agreement in support of our valued employees reflects the spirit of our partnership with SEIU, AFSCME, and Teamsters, and a shared commitment to serve the Mayo Clinic community.”

Kaup calls this contract a step in the right direction and said late Friday all parties officially ratified it.