Fired ER Nurse Files Whistle Blower Complaint Against Allina Health, Will Run for Union Office
“There are warning signs everywhere today for what is described as the “Labor movement”. The fact that United Hospital has been able to fire stewards at will shows that a new model of rank and file led unionism isn’t just necessary, its critical. No litigation can replace the creation of that new model, but today we will begin one effort in the courts and another in the workplaces and community and aim toward building a unionism worthy our times.”
- Cliff Willmeng, RN
On June 7, 2020, Cliff Willmeng, a former Registered Nurse at United Hospital and union steward of nursing union Minnesota Nurses Association, filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the Minnesota Whistleblower Act, alleging Allina fired him because he reported unsafe working conditions to the hospital, press, the United States Occupational Health and Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), and the Minnesota Department of Labor.
Willmeng believes he was terminated after becoming vocal about his safety concerns in late March 2020. Throughout April and May, Willmeng and other United Hospital employees objected to unsafe working conditions in relation to concerns about the transmission and spread of COVID-19, and they requested that United allow them to use hospital-issued scrubs rather than personal uniforms. Willmeng asserts that he filed three OSHA complaints and that he and other frontline employees were featured in press stories in which they demanded the ability to use hospital-issued scrubs to reduce the likelihood COVID-19 would spread. Willmeng alleges that although Allina allowed frontline healthcare workers at other Allina-owned hospitals to wear the scrubs, United Hospital claimed it was a dress code issue. Willmeng believes he was unfairly terminated because shortly after he filed his first OSHA complaint, he began being pulled into formal disciplinary proceedings. Willmeng alleges that United’s managerial employees continued harassing him until his termination on May 8, 2020.
Amanda Cefalu, Willmeng’s lawyer, filed the lawsuit on behalf of Willmeng alleging Allina has violated the state’s whistleblower and occupational safety laws, which prohibit employers from discharging or discriminating against employees who report violations of the law to their employer. Willmeng is seeking compensation and damages including reinstatement of his position at United Hospital Emergency Department. Willmeng’s lawsuit also alleges that he was discriminated against for asserting his rights under the state’s occupational health and safety laws and for speaking out on behalf of other employees.
Willmeng stated: “There is no excuse for Allina’s treatment of me and my coworkers as we attempt to protect our patients, our families, and the health of the St. Paul community. We attempted to help the hospital ensure that it was providing employees with a safe place to address the front lines of the pandemic. Instead of working with us, Allina focused on whether wearing scrubs violated the ‘dress code.’ The executives of Allina should not be allowed to harass or harm the courageous frontline healthcare workers at this time of extreme crisis.”
Alongside of litigation efforts, Willmeng will be running for Board of Directors of MNA and for delegate to the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
The complaint can be viewed at this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LNePQDqJ2F7bBawFL-jhWC-oJOP3u3Fm/view?usp=sharing