Doctors Council - SEIU

For Immediate Release

Contact: Josh Keller, jkeller@seiumn.org

No Deal at Wednesday's Bargaining Session Between Allina and Doctors Council-SEIU With Less Than One Week Before Historic 1-Day ULP Strike Set for Wed, Nov. 5th

MINNEAPOLIS – Following last week’s announcement of a 10-day notice for what would be a historic ULP strike, Doctors Council - SEIU and Allina met at the bargaining table Wednesday an entire day of bargaining but still were unable to reach a deal for the 600 doctors, physicians’ assistants, and nurse practitioners who are members of Doctors Council - SEIU. The Doctors Council-SEIU bargaining team remains focused on reaching a fair deal to protect primary care for patients and providers, but continue to be met with proposal from Allina that would reduce pay and ignore key issues providers are bringing to the table, proposals that would move this field backwards as the healthcare crisis grows for Minnesota families.  Katherine Oyster, MD, who is a member of the Doctors Council - SEIU bargaining team, shared her reaction from Tuesday’s bargaining as the Nov. 5th strike looms: “We were disappointed that Allina did not make meaningful movement today. Despite our efforts, Allina continues to propose pay cuts and worse benefits for our members. They did not address staffing shortages or multiple Unfair Labor Practices that we have filed. Our plan for a one day ULP Strike on November 5th remains unchanged.”

In October of 2023, over 600 Allina doctors, physicians’ assistants, and nurse practitioners who provide primary care in Minnesota voted to form their union with the Doctors Council-SEIU, becoming the largest private-sector providers union in the country. The group voted this summer with over 90% support to authorize a strike if needed.

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The two sides have been bargaining a first contract for nearly 20 months (since February of 2024), spanning over 50 bargaining sessions, with a focus on reaching an agreement that ensures their work is valued, they have safe working conditions and their voice is heard, so they can do what they do best: spend time with patients and keep Minnesota families healthy.

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