BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) — Nurses at Sanford Bemidji hospital vote Thursday on whether to accept a contract offer or reject it and authorize a strike.

Leaders of the Minnesota Nurses Association bargaining committee are recommending nurses reject the offer.

Peter Danielson, a member of the union bargaining team, says issues include safe staffing levels and management’s proposed concessions from nurses on health-care and pension plans.

Sanford Bemidji Chief Operations Officer Joy Johnson says Sanford has presented “a fair plan based on current economic realities.”

The MNA represents more than 230 nurses at Sanford Bemidji. The two sides have been negotiating since April. The current contract expired on Feb. 28.

Sanford Health recently bought the Bemidji hospital, previously known as North Country Regional Hospital.

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