Workers At Eight Metro Hospitals Ratify New Contract

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Union workers have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract that averted a strike at eight Twin Cities hospitals.

The union represents 3,500 nursing assistants, technicians and support staff. The agreement was reached last week after union members voted to authorize a 2- to 5-day strike.

The union says the new contract holds back on increases in health benefit premiums, retains overtime benefits and includes small wage increases.

The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota represents workers at Bethesda, Fairview Riverside, Fairview Southdale, Methodist, St. John's, North Memorial and Children Hospitals in Minneapolis and Children's Hospital in St. Paul.