Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea will continue to be open during a strike that starts Tuesday, according to hospital officials.

The strike involves SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, which represents about 80 members who work as certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, sterile processing and utilities and materials management workers in Albert Lea.

“I want to assure our patients and families, that, in keeping with our mission, we will continue to serve our community, providing the high quality of care they expect and deserve,” said Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin, in a press release. “The SEIU actions in no way affect our valued long-term relationship with all of our employees, or the well-being of our patients and the safe, compassionate care they consistently receive here.”

Striking employees are expected to rally Tuesday outside the Albert Lea hospital, beginning at 6 a.m. with a picket line forming on a public sidewalk outside the facility. A program consisting of striking workers, elected officials, community members and other unions in support of the strike is planned at 11 a.m., and the day is expected to end at 5 p.m.

The hospital system stated per industry contractual standards, temporary employees must work a minimum of one week, meaning most striking employees will not able to return for at least one week.

Despite the hospital system’s statement, workers are expected to try to return to work at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Six maintenance employees will be able to return once the strike is over because in-house employees will temporarily handle their duties, the hospital system stated.

The strike comes as SEIU and the hospital system work on a multi-year contract. Conflict was sparked after the union objected to a clause that union benefits could change in accordance with a change in benefits for non-unionized employees.

In an SEIU press release, the organization said the strike is the first of its kind at Mayo Clinic and comes as the hospital system “continues to demand the ability to subcontract these jobs.”

In its press release, Mayo Clinic Health System said the union is deciding to strike even though the employees are not losing their benefits.

“Mayo is simply looking to have the general and maintenance employees’ contract on the same terms as nearly all other staff,” the hospital system stated.

The hospital system said the union has filed several unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board “in an attempt to influence the bargaining process.”

“Until (Tuesday), when the SEIU filed yet another frivolous unfair labor practice charge, the union has lost or withdrawn all its filings,” the hospital system said, adding the NLRB Division of Judges ruled Sept. 21 that Mayo “has fully complied with the law and negotiated in good faith with SEIU.”

“It is regrettable and unfortunate that the SEIU has deliberately chosen this time of year for the strike, subjecting our hardworking employees to uncertainty, anxiety and lost wages during the holiday season,” said Kris Johnson, associate administrator for Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin, in the press release. “We are especially disappointed that the union would call a strike now, since SEIU, which composes the majority of the impacted workers, didn’t even ask us for a bargaining session between May and just recently.”

According to Mayo’s press release, a Dec. 28 meeting between the union and health system is planned.

“We are still hopeful that the SEIU will return to the negotiating table with a renewed focus on doing what’s in the best interest of our employees and their members,” Johnson said. “We remain grateful for our bond with the dedicated, hardworking employees.

“Our shared commitment to our mission and our community is unwavering.”