The union representing nearly 600 nurses at Maple Grove Hospital began their 30th bargaining session with North Memorial Health on Tuesday by telling administrators their rank-and-file have “overwhelmingly” voted to authorize an unfair labor practices strike.
The vote was taken on Monday by the members of the Minnesota Nurses Associatioj, and it comes as hospital negotiators say they have been bargaining in good faith.
Standing in the bright sunshine outside North Memorial’s Robbinsdale facility, union leaders used the words “limited” and “stalled” when referring to past rounds of contract talks.
“Right now, (Maple Grove) nurses are experiencing disparities in staffing improvements, workplace protections, and benefits, compared to nurses working at North Memorial Robbinsdale hospital,” said the union’s Margaret Sampson.
The union must give hospital administrators a 10-day notice before walking off the job, if it gets that far.
“Our goal is not to go on strike,” said the union’s Lisa Groebner. “It’s there if we need to.”
The action comes as Sanford Health announced plans to merge with North Memorial.
“Nurses have concerns about protraction related to the potential organizational changes, staffing retention, and workplace stability,” said Sampson.
It is against Minnesota Nurses Association policy to release the exact voting results.
