Talks between the Minnesota Nurses Association–representing around five-thousand Twin Cities nurses–and Allina Health ended last night, with no contract agreement in sight. The main sticking point: nurses want to keep their current union health care plans and the hospital wants them to change to the same plan as other employees. MNA spokesman Rick Fuentes says if a compromise can’t be reached, the nurses are prepared to strike.
“Nurses are prepared for the long-haul. They feel disrespected, devalued and disfranchised from the people they work for.”
Allina issued a statement Tuesday, saying in part, “Allina Health’s first priority is providing high-quality care to our communities. We believe our nurses are equally committed to care, but if they choose to walk off the job, we will take the steps necessary to continue that commitment to care. We hope it does not come to that.”