Hospice Nurses Picketed Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Over 60 nurses struck to demand overtime and holiday pay while the facility deals with ongoing staffing concerns.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a hospital facade against a flat sky, evoking the tension of healthcare labor disputes. — More than 60 hospice nurses began a seven-day strike at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis this week to demand better overtime and holiday pay. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should hospital systems be required to provide additional overtime and holiday pay for hospice nurses?

More than 60 hospice nurses held a seven-day strike outside Abbott Northwestern Hospital to seek improved compensation. The staff, unionized with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, are advocating for better overtime and holiday pay packages.

Why it matters

Nurses are citing mounting workplace pressures, including staffing reductions and productivity standards linked to daily mileage, as key reasons for the labor action. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within the regional healthcare system as major administrative changes loom.

The strike involved 60 hospice nurses who report that staffing levels have dropped as Allina Health has failed to replace retired or resigned staff. Productivity standards currently require nurses to drive 85 to 88 miles to earn a single productivity point.

The players

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa

This labor union represents healthcare workers across the region and is currently organizing the nurses participating in the Abbott Northwestern picket.

Allina Health

A major non-profit health system in the region that is currently engaged in both union contract negotiations and a proposed merger.

Minnesota Attorney General's Office

This state-level authority is responsible for conducting a formal review of the proposed $26 billion merger between Allina Health and Sutter Health.

The details

Nurses affiliated with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa report that the facility has not replaced staff members following departures, contributing to an unsustainable workload. These challenges are unfolding alongside a broader proposed $26 billion merger between Allina Health and Sutter Health that is currently undergoing state review.

Sept. 16, 2026: Hospice nurses initiated a seven-day strike at the facility.
Sept. 22, 2026: Unionized doctors reached a tentative contract agreement with Allina Health.

Market Landscape

The labor disputes are occurring as the healthcare industry faces significant consolidation pressures, exemplified by the $26 billion merger review between Allina Health and Sutter Health. This environment forces local health systems to balance cost-saving merger mandates with the practical need to retain experienced clinical staff.

Patients and their families may face uncertainty regarding service continuity as staffing shortages remain a primary point of contention between nurses and management. Residents should monitor local hospital communications, as ongoing labor negotiations could influence service availability or quality of care at major city facilities.

The takeaway

Healthcare systems are currently balancing high-level merger activities with the essential operational need to maintain a stable, well-compensated workforce. Successful contract ratification is vital for ensuring that patient care remains consistent during periods of significant corporate transition.