Allina Doctors Start Four-Day Walkout While Hospice Nurses Continue Seven-Day Strike

Overview

• Roughly 150 physicians at Allina’s Unity and Mercy hospital campuses launched a planned four-day strike to press for their first union contract after years of bargaining.
• More than 60 hospice nurses began a separate seven-day work stoppage earlier in the week to press for higher pay, holiday pay and more predictable schedules for home and facility visits.
• Physicians say their main demands include paid sick days and greater input over patient-care decisions while the nurses seek compensation for extra hours and schedule changes.
• Allina Health says it has contingency plans to maintain services, will use licensed and contract staff where needed, and that talks with both unions are ongoing.
• The simultaneous actions raise pressure on bargaining and could affect continuity of end-of-life and hospital services in the Twin Cities if negotiations do not progress quickly.