Contract Talks Expected Monday In Possible Nurses Strike

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Contract talks will get underway Monday in the hopes of avoiding a strike by nearly 5,000 Minneapolis nurses.

Negotiators from the Minnesota Nurses Association and Allina Health will meet at the request of a federal mediator.

The nurses rejected Allina's latest contract offer, saying it would shift too much of the company's health care costs to them.

Union leaders have set a one-week strike to start June 19 by nurses at Abbott Northwestern, Phillips Eye Institute, United, Mercy and Unity hospitals.

Allina has said the hospitals will stay open, despite the strike.