Allina Health makes new proposals, invites union to the bargaining table

For more information, contact: David Kanihan, 612-262-4986

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. 6/27/2016 — This morning, Allina Health formally invited the Minnesota Nurses Association to return to the bargaining table and submitted a new proposal in an effort to reach agreement on a three-year labor contract. Highlights of this offer include:

• Extension of the end date for use of the two most-utilized nurse-only health insurance plans to December 31, 2019. After this date, all nurses would transition to a choice of health insurance options that are available to other Allina Health employees, which includes the low-deductible Allina First plan.
• Adoption of much of the union's most recent proposal on workplace safety, including the opportunity for focused workplace safety discussions via the Labor-Management Committees.
• Previously proposed language to collaboratively explore an acuity-based staffing system with the union.

"Now that our nurses are back at the bedside, we need to get back to the bargaining table," said Penny Wheeler, MD, Allina Health President and CEO. "The proposal we are making today shows Allina Health is prepared to have an open, constructive dialog on the issues that both have identified as important to an agreement. I sincerely hope the union agrees to meet with us as soon as possible this week so we can move forward."

In a letter to leadership of the Minnesota Nurses Association, Allina Health offered to meet any day this week to continue negotiations for a new contract. Dr. Wheeler explained, "Over the past week, our energies have been focused on delivering excellent patient care during the strike. Last week took us all away from the bargaining table. It is time to put that same amount of energy into reaching a fair settlement."

Get an overview of Allina Health's current proposal.

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 not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 11 hospitals, 15 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, home oxygen and medical equipment and emergency medical transportation services.