Nurses at five Allina Health hospitals in Minnesota approved a labor contract, ending a five-week strike. The Minnesota Nurses Association and Allina Health say the 4,000 nurses in the Twin Cities area will head back to work this week.
Health insurance benefits were a major issue in negotiations. Union Executive Director Rose Roach said the agreement improves workplace safety issues, staffing policies and ensures health benefits won't be reduced. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith said in a joint statement that they are “grateful this long and painful strike has ended.”
