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Published August 05, 2011, 09:40 PM

Nurses plan informational picketing in Bemidji, Minn.

Nurses plan to conduct informational picketing outside a Bemidji hospital where their contract expired nearly six months ago.

By: Associated Press,

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Nurses plan to conduct informational picketing outside a Bemidji hospital where their contract expired nearly six months ago.

Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association gave a 10-day informational picketing notice Friday to officials at Sanford Bemidji hospital.

The picketing is scheduled for Aug. 17 from 3-5 p.m. during Sanford's "Gala Week," a six-day celebration.

The nurses accuse the hospital of refusing to meet with them in a timely manner. Sanford Bemidji Chief Operations Officer Joy Johnson says in a statement Sanford has "made every attempt to negotiate in good faith."

The nurses voted last week to reject Sanford's contract offer and authorize their negotiators to call a strike. The two sides have been negotiating since April. The current contract expired Feb. 28.

The MNA represents 230 nurses at Sanford Bemidji.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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