Striking nurses to vote Monday on last offer by Allina, union says

The negotiating team representing striking Allina Health hospital nurses is planning a vote of its members on the company's last proposal, according to a union statement early Friday.

"The negotiating team is not making a recommendation on the proposal," the statement from the Minnesota Nurses Association said.

The vote is scheduled for Monday "at sites near the hospitals of striking nurses," the union said. On the ballot: Accept the offer to end the four-week strike or reject it and extend the strike, which was nearing the state record 38-day walkout by nurses in 1984.

In case of a majority vote, the nurses union will then meet with Allina on an agreement, including on how to return to work, according to the settlement.

If the vote rejects the offer, the union statement said it will return negotiators to the table "at a later date."

This is a developing story. Check with StarTribune.com for further developments.