15,000 Minnesota nurses go on strike in Twin Cities, Duluth

Some 15,000 Minnesota nurses began a three-day strike Monday morning, after weekend talks failed to produce contract agreements.

Why it matters: Union leaders say the action is believed to be the largest private sector nurses' strike in U.S. history.

• It will cover workers at 15 hospitals, including eight of the 10 largest in the Twin Cities area.

How we got here: A prolonged contract dispute between Minnesota Nurses Association members and hospital systems prompted plans for the strike.

• Nurses are pushing for a roughly 30% wage increase over three years, citing pandemic burnout and staffing shortages. Hospitals, which offered closer to 11%, say they can't afford the union's asks.

Flashback: MNA members overwhelmingly voted to authorize the strike in mid-August.

State of play: Several units were still at the bargaining table with their hospital systems over the weekend, but negotiators were apparently unable to close the gap between the two sides.

• The strike began at 7am Monday and is expected to end at 7am on Thursday.

What to expect: Most hospitals told the Star Tribune they have been able to hire enough temp nurses to avoid serious disruptions in care, though Children's Minnesota has delayed many elective surgeries.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.