Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Hundreds of union workers at Mayo Clinic's Methodist Hospital in Rochester have voted to join their counterparts at St. Marys Hospital to cancel a voluntary no-strike agreement with the Rochester-based healthcare giant.

Leaders of the SEIU Healthcare MN Union say 87% of its members employed at Methodist Hospital voted to end the agreement, which had been in place for decades. Workers represented by the same union at St. Marys Hospital voted to remove the no-strike clause about a year ago.

SEIU Healthcare MN represents approximately 60 Mayo Clinic employees at Methodist Hospital. They have been working without a new contract since the end of January and the vote to remove the no-strike agreement means the option of pursuing a strike authorization vote by the rank-and-file could be pursued if ongoing negotiations fail to produce progress.

ALSO SEE: Mayo Clinic "Profit" For 2024 Hit Record High of Almost $1.3 Billion 

The contract dispute involving SEIU Healthcare MN represented employees at St. Marys hospital has been submitted to an arbitrator, who has yet to issue a decision.

Mayo Clinic issued a statement this afternoon in response to the union vote that read, "Mayo Clinic continues to be committed to supporting our staff and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement through the bargaining process."

The union represents a wide range of hospital employees, including maintenance, patient escort, patient care assistants, surgical technicians, and other "front-line" healthcare staff.

More Minnesota News:

• Cause Revealed of Rochester-Area Fire That Destroyed Building
• RPU Issues Boil Water Advisory for 25 Homes After Main Break
• Speed Limit Reduced on Stretch of Rochester Area Highway