Issues remain after walkout by 12K Minn. nurses

[June 11, 2010]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Thousands of Minnesota nurses have returned to work after a one-day strike, without a contract and with the same complaints of short-staffing that fueled their walkout.

Nurses walked back onto the job at 7 a.m. Friday, though probably not all of the 12,000 who struck. Hospital officials have said they might not recall all the nurses at once because they reduced patient levels leading up to the strike.

Al Carr, a nurse waiting to go back to work Friday at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, says he thought the strike was a success. But he said nurses are prepared to go out again if they need to.

No talks are scheduled.

The hospitals hired replacement nurses and reported no problems in patient care.

[Associated Press; By CHRIS WILLIAMS]

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