Thousands of Minnesota nurses to go on strike

MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of Minnesota nurses voted Monday in favor of going on strike.

The Minnesota Nurses Association says it’s concerned about staff shortages, retention and safety. MNA, which represents 15,000 nurses, says it’s lost 2,000 members since the beginning of the pandemic.

Now that the strike has been authorized via member vote, union leaders will now set a strike date with at least 10 days’ notice to employers, but could keep negotiating and reach a settlement before a strike happens.  

MNA says these issues have gone unresolved in negotiations with hospital executives over the last five months. Hospitals say they’re disappointed that the union has chosen to vote on a strike and that they are increasing wages. 

The nurses are from the Twin Cities and Twin Ports up in Duluth.

Source: CBS Minnesota