On Oct. 12 we met with the Minnesota Nurses Association for the seventeenth time since contract negotiations began in March.
While we continued to see progress on shared priorities, such as Workplace Violence and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, meaningful movement towards agreement continues to stall around wage increases and staffing.
The union lowered their wage proposal to 28 percent over three years, which remains the highest wage demand at any health system in the Twin Cities. Allina Health’s proposal of 12 percent over three years matches the highest from any health system proposal in the metro.
We value our employees and their contributions to the great care our patients receive. Our current union contract proposal demonstrates Allina Health’s commitment to providing higher wages and strong benefits for our nurses. Yet, the union continues to propose increases that are unsustainable. The current proposal would add more than $100 million over the three-year contract, a cost that will be carried by those who pay for care at a time where affordability remains a top concern.
Our goal remains to reach a contract agreement that is fair and sustainable. We look forward to getting back to the bargaining table and hope the union reconsiders their rejection of a neutral federal mediator. Both sides know we need to reach a compromise on wage and benefits increases and staffing issues, and the time has come for a neutral party to step in and help us bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.