Hospital Board Passes Allina Agreement

The District One Hospital Board unanimously approved tonight a resolution favoring the affiliation agreement with Allina Health Care.  One person spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.  Minnesota Nurses Association local labor union Co-Chair Sharon Miller told the Board they were disappointed staff wasn't included in the negotiation process and said it, "felt like a union busting move."  A number of MNA members were in attendance wearing their union t-shirts.  Upon completion of Miller's presentation no comments were made by the board addressing her concerns and Board Chair Dr. Richard Berge called for a vote on the resolution saying after extensive study of the issue he felt this was the best way to ensure quality local health care.  The agreement implementation date is scheduled to be January 1,2015.