Minnesota Nurses Association nurses at Mayo hospitals in Albert Lea and Austin will vote Thursday on Mayo’s offer on issues resulting from the decision to disrupt patients and nurses in both hospitals and close most inpatient services in Albert Lea.

Nurses concluded effects bargaining with Mayo and reached an agreement on a number of issues, including patient care training for nurses who move to a new unit, job protection, seniority, retention and severance.

“Nurses continue to strongly oppose the changes to our hospitals, but we needed to work out some major care delivery and contractual questions to minimize the impact on patients and nurses,” said MNA Albert Lea chairwoman Kathy Lehman. “It will help ensure that nurses receive the training they need as Mayo implements its plan to disrupt patient care and put profits over patients.”

“The offer gives nurses options for taking their seniority with them when applying for and accepting jobs in each other’s hospitals in a fair and orderly manner during a limited timeframe,” said MNA Austin chairwoman Kathryn Martin.