AP: 12,000 Minnesota nurses set July 6 strike date

[Omaha Steve]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NURSES_STRIKE_MINNESOTA?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Some 12,000 nurses are poised to launch an open-ended strike on July 6 in a dispute with 14 Minnesota hospitals over staffing, pensions and other issues.

The Minnesota Nurses Association on Friday filed its required 10-day notice setting the strike date after negotiations Thursday went nowhere. The nurses already staged a 24-hour walkout earlier this month.

Staffing levels are the top issue in the contract dispute. The union is seeking fixed nurse-to-patient ratios, calling it a matter of patient safety. But the 14 Twin Cities area hospitals involved say that would raise their costs by $250 million a year and wouldn't improve the quality of care.

The next negotiations are scheduled for Tuesday, and the union on Friday also announced strike preparation meetings for Wednesday.

Hospitals spokeswoman Maureen Schreiner said they went into Thursday's negotiations expecting that the union would modify its proposals and came away disappointed.

FULL story at link.

Online:

Minnesota Nurses Association: http://www.mnnurses.org

Twin Cities Hospitals: http://www.twincitieshospitals.com