Minneapolis-based Allina Health and the union representing roughly 4,800 of its nurses are slated to continue negotiations Tuesday amid a possible strike over health benefits, workplace safety and staffing, according to a Star Tribune report.
Allina Health nurses at five hospitals, represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association, on Thursday rejected the latest contract offer from Allina, voting against it with the required two-thirds majority to authorize a strike. Nurses must give Allina a 10-day notice before a strike can take place.
A strike may occur if talks break down Tuesday, according to the report. The report states that MNA officials met for more than five hours Saturday to prepare for the discussion. They told the Star Tribune they hope talks will be productive and prevent further actions.
Allina spokesman David Kanihan told the publication, "We look forward to hearing what the union’s ideas are when we meet on Tuesday."
If a nurse strike does occur, it would be the second since an initial seven-day strike in June.
That strike, which didn't result in a deal, cost Allina $20.4 million.
A key sticking point in negotiations has been the cost and design of the nurses' union-backed health insurance. Allina wanted to eliminate the nurses' four union-backed health plans, which include high premiums but low or no deductibles, and move the nurses to its corporate plans, reports the Star Tribune. The union wanted to protect those nurse-only plans. Allina has estimated that eliminating the nurses' four union-backed health plans would save the health system $10 million per year.
Penny Wheeler, MD, CEO of Allina, told the Star Tribune Wednesday that Allina compromised and offered to discontinue only two of the union plans, though nurses would have to take on most of the cost increases.
"We know that our nurses would be heartbroken to leave the side of their patients," she told the publication. "And for what reason? … It's hard to believe they would strike over this when actually they have another choice."
Allina officials said they hope to avoid a strike, but have a plan in place should it occur, according to the Star Tribune.
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