Allina Nurses Strike Could End Next Week

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nurses striking five hospitals in the Twin Cities metro will vote on the latest contract offer from Allina Health next week.

The union said early Friday it will take the company's proposal to its 4,800 members without a recommendation. The vote is scheduled Monday at sites near the hospitals involved — Abbott Northwestern, Mercy, Phillips Eye Institute, United, and Unity.

The main issue in the impasse has been health insurance. Allina Health says its proposal makes no benefit changes to the nurses' plans for the duration of the three-year contract.

It would offer a $700 incentive in 2017 for nurses to enroll in the company's core plans which cover its other employees and have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. The incentive is $300 for 2018.