Hundreds of Minnesota Doctors Strike Over Workload, Contract Dispute

Hundreds of doctors walked off the job today at Allina Health clinics across Minnesota, citing unsustainable workloads and a lack of support, in what is believed to be the largest physician strike in recent U.S. history.

The one-day strike, occurring on 2025-11-05, follows 20 months of unsuccessful contract negotiations between Allina Health and the newly unionized physicians. Doctors are demanding four paid hours per week to address increasing administrative tasks, including paperwork and patient messages, work they currently perform unpaid and often outside of regular hours. “What we’re doing now is not sustainable,” said Julie Donahue, a nurse practitioner at Allina’s Faribault clinic, who picketed outside the West St. Paul location. “We can’t see patients all day, go home and, when our kids go to bed, log back on and do more work.”

Allina Health stated that the doctors’ demands are financially unsustainable given existing budgetary pressures, including potential reductions in federal Medicaid reimbursements. The health system closed its Annandale facility for the day but maintained patient care at its remaining 60 clinics, estimating approximately 25% of the 600 unionized primary care practitioners continued to work. This action highlights a growing national trend of healthcare worker burnout and its potential impact on patient access to care.

Dr. Cora Walsh and Dr. Matt Hoffman were among the healthcare practitioners participating in the strike outside Allina Health facilities in West St. Paul. Allina Health officials stated they remain committed to reaching a responsible agreement, but warned against adding significant expenses that could increase costs for patients. You can learn more about Allina Health and its services on their website.

Allina Health stated it will continue negotiations with the union in the coming days.