Minneapolis-based Allina Health is scheduled to start contract discussions with the Minnesota Nurses Association on March 27, three years after the union called two strikes, according to the Star Tribune.
Allina nurses went on strike in June 2016 for seven days and again in September and October 2016, primarily over health benefits.
This year, Allina wants to eliminate "clunky" contract language to make it easier for nurses to transfer to other hospitals or pick up extra shifts, said Mandy Richards, RN, MSN, the health system's CNO.
"For patients, they just want to make sure their care needs are being met and are being met with the right staff at the right time," Ms. Richards told the paper.
The nurses union also is starting negotiations this week with Fairview Health Services, Children's and HealthEast hospital systems, all based in the Twin Cities area, as well as Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn. It also is scheduled to start talks with Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health on March 29.
Allina Health and the nurses union both said they are optimistic they can reach an agreement without the contentious battle that took place previously, the report states.
"Nurses are united in putting forth proposals that recognize the value of their care and their professional judgment to protect patients," Jordan Foerster, a negotiations team member and a registered nurse at Fairview, said in a news release.
Current contracts at all organizations are set to expire May 31.
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