Allina, nurses test each other's resolve as strike enters third week

Allina Health and its striking nurses tried to portray one another as growing weaker Monday as the nurses' walkout reached its third week without a deal — or further talks — in sight. Allina reported that more than 500 of the 4,800 striking nurses have called to say they want to return to work at the five affected hospitals. Meanwhile, the union said it received a report that an intensive care unit closed at Allina's flagship hospital, Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, amid turnover in replacement nurses. Allina could not be immediately reached for comment on the report.