More than 150 physicians at Allina Health’s Mercy and Unity hospitals in Minnesota are set to strike Sept. 14-17.
The union, Doctors Council SEIU, filed a required 10-day notice for an unfair labor practice strike, according to a Sept. 5 news release. The unit includes hospitalists, OB-GYNs, psychiatrists and critical care physicians, who voted in June with 91% support to authorize a strike. The group won union recognition in early 2024 and has been bargaining a first contract for three years.
Physicians are seeking sick leave, time off and more input on patient care decisions, the release said.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Allina said its next negotiation session is Sept. 9 and that it remains hopeful of reaching an agreement “that responsibly recognizes the important role our physicians play while maintaining Allina Health’s long-term sustainability and our ability to provide affordable care to the communities we serve.”
Allina added that it is committed to ensuring safe care continues throughout the strike and will contact patients directly about any scheduling changes.
More than 60 Allina hospice nurses represented by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa also filed a 10-day notice Aug. 31 for a seven-day strike planned for Sept. 11-17, MinnPost reported. The two unions plan to picket together, according to the Doctors Council release.
Minneapolis-based Allina Health operates hospitals and clinics across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
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