Approximately 3,500 members of the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota voted to authorize a two- to five-day strike at eight hospitals in the Twin Cities metro area, according to a Star Tribune report.
Ninety-one percent of the union members voted to strike. Although a date was not mentioned in the report, unions must give 10 days' notice before striking.
The SEIU and hospitals have been unable to reach a contract agreement since they began negotiations in January. An SEIU spokesperson said the "vote speaks for itself" and would not make further official remarks, according to the report. A spokesperson for the eight hospitals affected said the vote to strike is disappointing. Hospital and union representatives head back to the table today to continue contract negotiations.
Hospitals potentially affected by the strike include:
• Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina
• Fairview Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis
• Children's Hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul
• Health East's Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul
• St. John's Hospital in Maplewood
• North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale
• Park Nicollet/Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park
Workers involved in the pending strikes include nursing assistants, emergency department tech maintenance staff, food service personnel, clerks, warehouse staff, environment services staff and others.
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Ninety-one percent of the union members voted to strike. Although a date was not mentioned in the report, unions must give 10 days' notice before striking.
The SEIU and hospitals have been unable to reach a contract agreement since they began negotiations in January. An SEIU spokesperson said the "vote speaks for itself" and would not make further official remarks, according to the report. A spokesperson for the eight hospitals affected said the vote to strike is disappointing. Hospital and union representatives head back to the table today to continue contract negotiations.
Hospitals potentially affected by the strike include:
• Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina
• Fairview Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis
• Children's Hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul
• Health East's Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul
• St. John's Hospital in Maplewood
• North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale
• Park Nicollet/Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park
Workers involved in the pending strikes include nursing assistants, emergency department tech maintenance staff, food service personnel, clerks, warehouse staff, environment services staff and others.
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