MNA Members Authorize Strike At Twin Cities, Duluth Area Hospitals Amid Stalled Negotiations

MNA Members Authorize Strike At Twin Cities, Duluth Area Hospitals Amid Stalled Negotiations

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 24, 2025 – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) have overwhelmingly voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike, signaling a significant escalation in ongoing contract disputes with several major hospital systems across the Twin Cities and Duluth areas. The vote, encompassing over 15,000 nurses and healthcare workers across 22 facilities, empowers union negotiators to call for a strike, though a 10-day notice to employers would be required before any work stoppage commences.

The strike authorization comes after months of stalled negotiations, with MNA leaders alleging unfair labor practices by hospital management, including refusing to bargain in good faith, withholding information, and attempting to undermine union rights. Key sticking points in the negotiations reportedly include unsafe staffing levels, nurse safety, limits on sick time, affordability of health plans, shift cancellations, and overtime pay.

"This vote is about urgency. Staffing levels are not safe, but nurses have come to the table with solutions," stated Chris Rubesch, RN, and President of the Minnesota Nurses Association, during a press conference today. "Hospital executives, however, have responded with misinformation, intimidation and retaliation. The culture of fear they are creating suppresses open dialogue and derails bargaining, and it must stop now.”

Hospitals involved in the negotiations include Allina Health, Children's Minnesota, Essentia Health, M Health Fairview, North Memorial Health, and Aspirus St. Luke's. Nurses at these systems have been working without new contracts, with some Twin Cities contracts expiring on May 31 and Duluth contracts set to expire next week.

Hospital representatives, including the Twin Cities Hospital Group, have expressed disappointment with the strike authorization. In a statement, they maintained that "Today's announcement of a strike vote puts the union's 'strike first, patients second' mentality on full display. It is disappointing that the union has chosen this path instead of working collaboratively to find solutions." They added that hospitals are prepared to care for patients should a strike occur and remain focused on reaching a fair settlement.

The MNA emphasized that the decision to authorize a strike was not taken lightly by its members, who prioritize patient care deeply. "We don’t take this stuff lightly; nurses care deeply about our patients and our work. But when leadership violates the law, refuses to engage, and puts both patients and workers at risk, we have a duty to act," said Sydney Pederson, a nurse at M Health Fairview. "The vote is a message: we are serious, we are united, and we will take action if needed."

This development follows an informational picket held on June 4, where nurses highlighted concerns over staffing crises and unsafe conditions. While the strike authorization does not guarantee a walkout, it provides the MNA with a powerful bargaining tool as negotiations continue. The next negotiating session for Allina Health is scheduled for June 25, and other systems are expected to continue talks in the coming days.

MinneapoliMedia News will continue to monitor this developing story.