MNA Claims Aspirus-St. Luke’s Walked Away from Negotiations

DULUTH, Minn. — Negotiations between the Minnesota Nurses Association and Aspirus-St. Luke’s have stalled, after MNA claims of Aspirus walking away from the bargaining table.

At their final scheduled bargaining session, MNA claims their nurses were met, “not with compromise, but with cuts.”

The nurses association then said Aspirus’ proposal would limit sick time, vacation, dental, and health coverage for acute care nurses.

Meanwhile executives at Aspirus say, their counterproposal is, “affordable, sustainable and fair,” as the hospital looks to provide higher compensation to MNA nurses who work more than 32 hours or more per week.

In a email sent out by an Aspirus spokesperson the hospital expressed how unaffordable MNA’s offer was. “MNA’s economic proposal – which we received just last week – would result in a 138% increase, which is nearly $57 million in new expenses over three years. To put it plainly: that isn’t grounded in economic reality, and would negatively impact the welfare of their colleagues, the health of our patients and the financial viability of Aspirus-St. Luke’s.”

Aspirus continued to say their proposed compensation increases complies with new state laws regarding sick and paid family medical leave with benefits aligned more with staff across the hospital’s system.

MNA nurses will vote next Monday to authorize a possible Unfair Labor Practice strike against Aspirus. MNA nurses have agreed to negotiate with Aspirus executives again on June 26, just 4-days before current contracts expire on June 30.