STAFFING
Win for hospitals
The nurses had proposed formal, contractual ratios limiting the number of patients assigned to each nurse. Hospitals balked, saying it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars without improving patient care. Both parties eventually agreed to "a renewed commitment to working through both parties' staffing issues through the existing committee systems at the various hospitals."
PENSIONS
Win for nurses
The hospitals had proposed cutting employer contributions to the nurses' pension plan by one-third. The hospitals backed off and the pension was kept whole.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Win for nurses
The hospitals had proposed eliminating the nurses' health plan and moving them to the same insurance covering other hospital employees, with higher out-of-pocket payments. The hospitals allowed the nurses to keep their current health benefits.
WAGES
Win for hospitals
The nurses asked for a 3 percent raise in each of 3 years. They accepted the hospitals' proposal of 0, 1 and 2 percent.
CHEN MAY YEE
![Gas was $2.39 at the BP gas station ay 46th Street at Lyndale in South Minneapolis. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday September 4, 2015 Pre-Labor Day gas prices in the U.S. are the lowest in 11 years, and under $2 per gallon in many states, though Minnesota's average is nearly 40 cents higher. Just one station, in Brainerd, was selling at $1.99. Checking on whether that is a promotion. Costco and Sams Clubs, usually the low price leaders, were 15 cents more. With some motorists' tho](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4U372WPXFGGQGQHPL2CTC4SFUY.jpg?&w=436&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
