Twin Cities Nurses Reach Deal; Duluth, WI Strikes Loom

The Minnesota Nurses Association reached a tentative agreement with Twin Cities hospitals after nearly four months of negotiations, averting a major strike for over 12,000 nurses. The proposed three-year contract includes a cumulative 10% wage increase, new measures to implement Minnesota's break laws, enhanced workplace violence prevention, and resolves previous unfair labor practices complaints, with staffing levels prioritized above wages for the first time. The agreement comes as hospitals face concerns about impending federal Medicaid cuts that could strain budgets and impact patient care. In contrast, nurses in Duluth continue unresolved contract negotiations and are set to strike next week, with advanced practice providers joining soon after. Additionally, nurses at a clinic in Janesville, Wisconsin, are planning a separate strike over wage increases to match inflation. These events highlight ongoing challenges in healthcare labor relations amid financial pressures and staffing concerns.