More than 150 doctors at Allina Health’s Unity and Mercy hospitals in Minnesota have filed a 10-day strike notice after three years of unsuccessful negotiations over their first contract.
The walkout is scheduled to begin on 14 September and continue through 17 September, unless an agreement is reached before then. The physicians are represented by Doctors Council-SEIU and include hospitalists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, psychiatrists and critical care specialists.
The doctors voted by 91% in June to authorise industrial action. They say the dispute centres on sick leave, proposed reductions in pay, working conditions and their involvement in decisions affecting patient care.
Dr John Wust III, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who has worked at Mercy and Unity since 1996, accused Allina of failing to negotiate in good faith.
“It is the unanimous opinion of our bargaining team that Allina is not bargaining in ‘good faith’ when they continue to deny sick days to physicians and only come to the table with pay cuts,” he said.
“Our physicians have earned and deserve a seat at the table when decisions that affect our patients are being made, and we need change now.”
Allina doctors prepare for strike as talks continue
The union’s recognition followed a National Labor Relations Board process that began with a 2023 election involving doctors at the Coon Rapids and Fridley hospitals. NLRB records show Doctors Council-SEIU won the vote by 67 to 38, with the certification process concluding in January 2024.
Allina says it has held more than 50 bargaining sessions and reached tentative agreements on a number of non-economic issues. The health system has cited rising costs, lower reimbursement levels and wider financial pressures in arguing that any final deal must be sustainable.
The organisation said it was disappointed that the physicians had chosen to strike rather than continue negotiations. Its next bargaining session is due to take place on 9 September.
“Strikes do not benefit anyone and have the potential to disrupt care at extremely busy hospitals that are absolutely vital to delivering care in the northwest metro,” Allina said.
The health system said it remained hopeful of reaching an agreement that recognised the doctors’ role while protecting its ability to provide affordable care. It also said it would maintain safe services during any industrial action and contact patients directly if appointments had to be changed.
The doctors’ notice comes amid a separate dispute involving Allina hospice nurses, who have announced plans for a seven-day strike from 11 to 17 September. The two unions are expected to picket together while negotiations continue.
The labour disputes are unfolding as Allina Health faces a proposed merger with Sutter Health. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is reviewing whether the deal would serve the public interest, although it is not yet clear whether the industrial action will affect that process.
