Who: 12,000 nurses represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association at 14 Twin Cities hospitals.
When: Their contract expires at midnight on May 31, but the nurses must give the hospitals 10 days' notice before striking.
Affected hospitals: Abbott Northwestern, Mercy, Unity, United and Phillips Eye Institute (all owned by Allina Hospitals and Clinics); St. John's, St. Joseph's and Bethesda (owned by HealthEast Care System); North Memorial; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota; Park Nicollet Methodist; Fairview Southdale and the Riverside campus of University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.
Issues: Nurses have asked for 3 percent pay increases in each of three years. Hospitals have proposed annual raises of 0, 1 and 2 percent, plus cuts in pension contributions and more flexibility in scheduling nurses.
Qatar replaces Russian company in Lebanon gas exploration
France must raise pension age to 64, prime minister says
Meet Nadia Rawlinson, the Sky's new operating chairman and co-owner: 'I believe in the future. This isn't just a passion thing.'
Australia mining company sorry for losing radioactive device
