SEIU Strike Averted at HealthPartners After Tentative Agreement Reached

St. Paul, MN

A high stakes labor dispute that threatened to disrupt healthcare services across the Twin Cities has been averted after nearly 2,000 HealthPartners workers, represented by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, reached a tentative three year agreement with HealthPartners on February 5, 2026.

The breakthrough came after weeks of escalating tension and an extraordinary show of unity by the workforce. In late January, 99 percent of union members voted to authorize a strike, a move that underscored deep frustration among nurses, dental hygienists, medical assistants, EMTs, and other frontline clinic staff over wages and proposed changes to health benefits.

Union leaders said the negotiations centered on two non negotiable priorities. Protecting what members describe as industry leading healthcare benefits that have long defined employment at HealthPartners, and securing wage increases that reflect both rising living costs and the mounting pressures facing healthcare workers.

A Deal Reached After Months of Strain

The tentative agreement was finalized late Thursday night following another full day of bargaining. According to SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, earlier management proposals included minimal or flat wage increases and benefit changes that would have shifted higher costs onto workers, removing long standing contractual protections.

Those proposals sparked widespread concern and prompted visible labor actions. In January, workers held informational pickets outside the HealthPartners Como Clinic in St. Paul, standing in sub zero temperatures to signal their resolve and draw public attention to the dispute.

The final agreement, union officials say, represents a significant departure from those earlier positions.

Key Terms of the Tentative Agreement

The proposed contract spans three years and includes a series of financial and workplace gains for employees.

Wage increases
Workers would receive a guaranteed 4 percent raise in the first year of the contract, followed by 3 percent increases in both the second and third years.

Targeted pay adjustments
In addition to across the board raises, the agreement includes higher wage bumps for high demand roles, including Registered Nurses, Certified Medical Assistants, and Emergency Medical Technicians. The union said these adjustments are aimed at improving retention and recognizing the intensity of clinical workloads.

Shift incentives
Weekend shift bonus pay would increase, addressing long standing concerns about staffing traditionally hard to fill hours and compensating workers who take on additional shifts.

Healthcare protection
Perhaps the most contentious issue in negotiations, healthcare benefits were preserved. The union reports it successfully blocked proposed cuts and cost shifting measures that could have increased premiums and out of pocket expenses. Existing benefit structures remain intact under the tentative deal.

New Contract Provisions Reflect a Changing Workplace

Beyond wages and benefits, the 2026 tentative agreement introduces new language addressing emerging issues in healthcare.

A joint Labor Management Committee on artificial intelligence will be created to monitor and discuss how AI technologies are introduced in the workplace. The committee will focus on impacts to patient care, workloads, job security, and professional standards.

The agreement also strengthens non discrimination language related to sexual orientation and gender identity, expanding workplace protections and reinforcing commitments to inclusion.

Comparing Proposals

“This shows what happens when we stand up for workers and patients,” said Jean Pfarr, a Registered Nurse and member of the bargaining team. “Many people choose to work for HealthPartners because of the benefits, and we were determined to protect them.”

What Happens Next

While the strike has been averted, the agreement remains tentative until ratified by union members. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa is expected to hold a ratification vote in the coming days, and the bargaining team has issued a strong recommendation for a yes vote.

HealthPartners has not released detailed public comments on the final terms of the agreement, though earlier in the bargaining process the organization emphasized its goal of reaching an outcome that is fair to employees and financially sustainable for the health system.

If ratified, the agreement would bring labor stability to one of Minnesota’s largest healthcare providers at a moment when staffing shortages, rising costs, and rapid technological change continue to reshape care delivery across the region.

MinneapoliMedia