Union doctors in the Twin Cities are threatening to strike after 90% of rank and file say they need to see change.
More than 130 doctors at Allina Health's Mercy and Unity Hospitals are ready to walk off the job after talks over the past two years failed to produce an agreement.
Dr. Saul Singh says they want to be involved in the future of the healthcare industries, and they want a raise and sick time.
"We don't get paid appropriate sick time, so when the doctors are sick, this happened during COVID, and it continues today, when we are sick, we don't have paid sick time," says Singh.
Allina said in a statement that they are disappointed the union chose to “engage in this tactic,” and they say they have negotiated in good faith with the union to reach their first contract.
But Singh says doctors are united behind this, with 90% voting to strike.
"The process will be now that we have the authorization to call a strike," adds Singh. "We're going to give Allina a chance to come up and show up and offer us a fair contract in good faith bargaining."
Allina says they have engaged a federal mediator to help negotiations.
