The dispute between Minneapolis-based Allina Health and striking nurses appears to be at a standstill as the walkout approaches a record-breaking 40th day.
According to a news release, the union representing striking Allina Health nurses has yet to come forward with a new contract proposal, though both sides agree that is the next step to restart negotiations. As of Thursday, no new negotiations were scheduled.
More than 4,000 Allina nurses, represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association, began their walkout on Labor Day at five Minnesota hospitals following a week-long strike in June. With a vote Monday to reject Allina's latest offer, strikes over health benefits, staffing and safety concerns continued at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, United Hospital in St. Paul, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Unity Hospital in Fridley.
The two sides in September reached an agreement in principle on staffing and security, as well as most wage and insurance issues, Allina officials said. However, they said, three issues were still unresolved: a lump-sum bonus plan; the sharing of cost increases in the nurse-only insurance plans in 2019; and a framework for managing cost increases in the future, after this contract period ends.
According to a news release, Allina Health is waiting to hear from the federal mediator that the union is prepared to offer a proposal that moves the two sides closer together.
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