DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Nurses at two Duluth hospital systems are scheduled to hold a strike vote this week in a dispute similar to one that prompted a one-day strike in the Twin Cities last June.
St. Luke's Hospital and negotiators for its over 400 nurses were due to meet with a federal mediator today. But St. Mary's-Duluth Clinic and its 900 nurses have no talks scheduled after a marathon session last Thursday.
The Minnesota Nurses Association will hold a vote Wednesday that could approve a one-day strike at both facilities, but union spokesman Steve Strand says it does not guarantee a strike.
Similar to the Twin Cities dispute, staffing levels are a key sticking point. Hospital administrators say their most recent contract offer adequately addresses staffing concerns.
