Minneapolis-based Allina Health has presented a new offer to its nurses in the wake of a seven-day strike, according to a Star Tribune report.
The 4,800 nurses, represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association, began a weeklong strike June 19 at five Minnesota facilities — Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, Unity Hospital in Fridley, United Hospital in St. Paul, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis — after voting to reject Allina's previous contract offer and authorize a walkout. At issue in the strike was Allina's plan to eliminate union-backed health insurance and move the workers to plans that other health system employees receive.
The new offer from Allina still calls for nurses to switch from their costly union-backed health plans; however, the proposal gives them until 2020 to make the move, according to the report. The report states that the new offer also includes concessions in other areas — such as allowing the union to appoint nurses to workplace safety committees — as well as 2 percent raises for each of the next three years.
"The proposal we are making...shows Allina Health is prepared to have an open, constructive dialogue on the issues that both [parties ] have identified as important to an agreement," Penny Wheeler, MD, Allina's president and CEO, said, according to the Star Tribune.
The MNA plans to review the proposal.
"Our position has been clear from the beginning," the union said in its statement, according to the report. "Nurses will not take a step backward economically in the next contract."
Allina did not disclose a date to resume negotiations.
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