Striking Nurses Stand Together For 'Red October' Events

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Striking nurses in the Twin Cities are standing together after losing their benefits through Allina Health.

Nurses and supporters gathered outside some Metro-area hospitals Saturday for "Red October" events.

There were hot dish and dessert bar cook-offs, costume contests and pumpkin giveaways.

The Minnesota Nurses Association says nurses have received "threatening reminders" from Allina about losing company health insurance benefits in October.

They say Saturday's events show they're not afraid.

"They're determined right now. There's ups and downs but they're out here supporting their patients right now," Abbott Northwestern nurse Angela Becchetti said.

After nearly a month of striking, nurses will vote on the latest contract offer from Allina Health on Monday.

The main sticking point has been health insurance.

Under this proposal, nurses won't keep the insurance plan they had, but there are incentives and bonuses to enroll in the company core plan.

The nurses say they will continue to walk the picket line until the vote.