Nurses At Range Regional Vote To Authorize Strike

HIBBING, Minn. (AP) -- Registered nurses at Fairview-owned Range Regional Health Services have voted to authorize a strike after rejecting a mediated offer.

April Klander, the chair of the Minnesota Nurses Association's bargaining team, says in a statement that the nurses took the action because the proposal doesn't go far enough to address inadequate and unsafe staffing at hospitals.

Earlier this month, Hibbing nurses called for a three-day strike. But it was cancelled when a federal mediator was able to guide the sides through bargaining on a new proposal.

The contract expired on Oct. 31, 2010. Both sides are operating under the contract terms.

Klander says no strike date has been set. She says leaders will meet this week to determine the next step.

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