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Twin Cities EMTs, Paramedics Union To Support Allina Nurses Strike

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As nurses with Allina prepare for a strike amid tense negotiations, another union has announced their solidarity.

The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) says the Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R7-167 notified Allina of plans to support the nurses strike at five hospitals across the Twin Cities. The 5,000 nurses involved will begin the strike Monday, while the EMTs won't begin until Sept. 15.

Paramedics and EMTs from the chapter won't walk off the job, but they will stand with nurses at the picket line, according to a letter from the union's president to Allina.

The dispute between Allina and its nurses stems around proposed changes to the nurses healthcare plan, which nurses say would offer less coverage. Allina says it has to make the cuts due to budgetary restrictions, but nurses say the healthcare company could cut other parts of the budget instead.

So far, negotiations have been unfruitful. Allina announced plans to bring in 1,500 replacement nurses until the indefinite strike is resolved.

The hospitals affected are United Hospital in St. Paul, Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis and Unity Hospital in Fridley. There is no word yet on how many EMTs and paramedics will be picketing with strikers.

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