The National Labor Relations Board has certified the union election of more than 130 Allina Health doctors, following its nearly yearlong investigation into objections raised by the health system.
Although physicians at Mercy Hospital and its Unity campus in Fridley and Coon Rapids, Minnesota, voted to join Doctors Council SEIU in March 2023 by a margin of 2-to-1, the election was not certified until Jan. 10.
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Allina Health opposed the election results last year on the grounds that several physicians involved in pro-union advocacy were statutory supervisors or managerial employees, according to filings the hospital system submitted to the National Labor Relations Board.
In an emailed statement Tuesday, Allina Health said it took steps to ensure the board’s process “was fair to all involved.”
With its objections overruled by federal labor regulators, the health system said it will prepare to start negotiations for a first contract.
This latest win builds on recent victories for Doctors Council SEIU, which unionized nearly 600 doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants across more than 60 Allina Health locations in October.