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Ely, Minn. (AP)

Ely hospital nurses authorize union to call strike

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Nurses at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital have voted to reject the hospital's final contract offer and instead authorize their negotiators to call a strike.

The Minnesota Nurses Association represents 32 nurses in the bargaining unit. A breakdown of Wednesday's vote was not released by the union.

Kathy Champa, one of the bargaining unit leaders at the hospital, says the hospital's offer does not adequately address the Ely nurses' health-care insurance concerns.

Nurse leaders will meet soon to determine their next step. A strike date has not been set yet, and federal labor laws require hospitals be given at least 10 days notice before a strike can take place.

A telephone message left for hospital administration was not immediately returned Wednesday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)