Gov. Dayton asks Allina, striking nurses to reach agreement

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - After a historic 36-day strike and three rejected contract offers, Governor Mark Dayton asked for the negotiators from Allina Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association to meet at the Governor’s Residence Monday to reach an agreement.

This is the first time in while the two sides have been in the same room as each other, as recent negotiations have been done through a federal mediator who has been meeting separately with both parties.

Dayton and Smith are hoping that the negotiators will “reach an agreement that will allow the health care system and nurses to resume the quality of health care Minnesotans need and deserve,” according to a statement.

Additionally. the parties were asked to remain at the residence until differences are resolved. No agreement had been reached as of 9:30 p.m. on Monday.

Hundreds of Allina nurses 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.