WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2023 – IAM Healthcare, a part of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), applauds the termination of the proposed merger between Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services.
“We are pleased that this merger has been terminated,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “This merger would have harmed patients, workers, and the communities we serve. I want to personally thank Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for leading a robust public process, including a thorough examination of the facts to ensure patients, workers, and the community are protected.”
The Minneapolis-based Fairview Health has 35,000 employees, over 5,000 medical providers, and nearly a dozen hospital campuses. Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford has 46 medical centers, more than 220 clinic locations, and 44,000 employees. The proposed merger would have created a massive healthcare system.
The IAM Healthcare Department, along with other community and labor advocates, argued that the merger would have led to job losses, higher healthcare costs, and decreased access to care.
WATCH: MN attorney general asks to delay merger between Sanford, Fairview health systems KARE-TV (Minneapolis)
“IAM Healthcare members spoke out against this merger because their patients and professions were at risk,” said IAM Healthcare Director Shane Brinton. “Whenever healthcare executives put the corporate bottom line before patient care, our members will be there standing up for the communities they serve.”
READ: IAM Healthcare Union Joins Effort to Stop Sanford-Fairview Healthcare System Merger Plan
IAM Healthcare is a movement of more than 10,000 healthcare workers represented by the IAM Union, including nurses, personal care attendants, medication aides, sterilization technicians, dietary and maintenance workers in Sanford facilities.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.