Minnesota nurses to return from 1-day strike, but pressing staffing issues remain

12,000 Minn. nurses to return from 1-day walkout

MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of Minnesota nurses are heading back to work after a one-day strike.

The nurses still don’t have a contract and they still have the same complaints of short-staffing that fueled the walkout.

But the Minnesota Nurses Association believes it sent its message with the strike that was ending Friday morning. Spokesman John Nemo says the strike by 12,000 nurses caused maximum disruption to 14 hospitals and minimum harm to patients.

Because many hospitals reduced their patient counts before the strike, some nurses won’t be back at work right away.

Nemo says the union hopes the strike will prompt the hospitals to come back to the bargaining table. The hospitals say they’re willing to discuss staffing levels, though no new talks are scheduled.

Online:

Minnesota Nurses Association: mnnurses.org/

Twin Cities Hospitals: www.twincitieshospitals.com/