Allina Health, union nurses come to tentative contract agreement
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has brokered a tentative contract agreement between Allina Health and the Minnesota Nurses Union that would end the ongoing nurses’ strike. The two parties left the Governor’s Residence in St. Paul, Minnesota at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning after negotiating for more than 17 hours.
After three rejected contract offers, Dayton asked negotiators from Allina and the MNA to meet at the Governor’s Residence on Monday to reach an agreement. It was the first time in a while both sides have been in the same room as each other, as recent negotiations had been done through a federal mediator who has been meeting separately with both parties.
The parties were asked to remain at the residence until their ongoing dispute over health insurance, safety and hospital staffing levels was resolved.
“The two sides have successfully negotiated a tentative agreement. We thank the Minnesota Nurses Association and Allina Health for working to reach this tentative agreement, which will allow them to resume the quality health care that Minnesotans need and deserve," Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hundreds of nurses from five Allina hospitals and clinics in the metro area have been on strike since Labor Day. Last week, nurses voted to reject the latest contract offer from Allina Health and continue their strike. Both parties have failed to compromise on issues like changes in nurse staffing and the transition from the nurses’ health care plans to the main plans offered to the rest of Allina’s employees.
The Minnesota Nurses Association will take a final vote on the new contract on Thursday.
Allina Health statement
President and CEO of Allina Health Penny Wheeler released a statement following the conclusion of the negotiations:
Minnesota Nurses Association statement