Striking Minnesota nurses reject Allina's contract proposal

Thousands of nurses at five Allina Health hospitals in Minnesota have rejected the company's latest proposal, pushing their strike into its fifth week.

The results were announced Monday night following an all-day voting session.

In a statement, Allina Health says it's disappointed in the outcome. The company says the proposal was "eminently fair" and addressed many of the issues the union raised during negotiations.

Minnesota Nurses Association officials did not direct its 4,800 members on how to vote Monday, as it had in two previous votes over the summer. The strike began on Labor Day.

The hospitals affected by the strike are Abbott Northwestern and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, United in St. Paul, Mercy in Coon Rapids and Unity in Fridley.