Dive Brief:
- Minneapolis-based Allina Health reportedly is ready to make some concessions in a new contract with disgruntled nurses at five area hospitals.
- Citing the Star Tribune, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal says the new proposal lengthens the transition time for nurses to move onto Allina’s health coverage and lets the Minnesota Nurses Association appoint nurses to workplace safety committees.
- The 4,800 nurses ended their weeklong strike on Sunday.
Dive Insight:
Under the latest proposal, nurses would still have to drop their lower-deductible union-backed health plans and move onto Allina’s plan. Allina’s coverage has higher deductibles, but lower premiums. The proposal also includes 2% annual raises.
The Minnesota Nurses Association agreed to review the proposal.
Following a breakdown in contract negotiations in early June, Allina launched a nationwide search for 1,400 replacement nurses to fill if nurses went on strike.
The contract dispute affects Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, United Hospital in St. Paul and Unity Hospital in Fridley.