Care for all. Fair for all. ​

Aspirus has a threefold commitment: to our patients, our people and our communities. As health care changes quickly with new regulations, new technologies and new economics, the impact is magnified in rural communities like those we serve. We must adapt and maintain balance so we can continue to meet the needs of everyone we work with and care for.

A smiling nurse providing care for all
Six words drive us: Passion for excellence. Compassion for people.
  • Everyone at Aspirus chose a career in health care because we care deeply about helping people get healthy and stay healthy. We strive for excellence in all we do, every day. Each of us drives healthy outcomes, and every worker in our family is equally valuable.
  • Compassion includes treating everyone fairly. Our nurses at Aspirus St. Luke's are excellent and deserve good-faith negotiations and a fair contract. This is our commitment with every labor negotiation. We work positively and transparently toward a fair contract that balances the needs of all, because we are all in this together

Learn more about the key topics we expect to address during our bargaining sessions.

Safe StaffingWorkplace SafetyTechnology & InnovationFair Wages/Total Compensation

Updates

Latest News

May 23, 2025
Duluth News Tribune

Local View: Rigid staffing ratios won't lead to better health care

May 23, 2025
Duluth Tribune

Alicia Lagarde of Aspirus St. Luke's Honored as one of Duluth Tribune's 20 Under 40

May 21, 2025
FOX 21

EMS Appreciation BBQ at St. Lukes

May 10, 2025
WDIO

Aspirus St. Luke’s Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Dylan Wyatt shares safety tips during hot conditions

May 9, 2025
WDIO

Shining a spotlight on a superstar nurse for Nurse Appreciation Week—Molly Hastings of Aspirus St. Luke’s

May 8, 2025
Northern News

Duluth Nurse shares love of caregiving during National Nurses Week—including Kelsey Eichstadt and Breanna Diedrich of Aspirus St. Luke’s

May 7, 2025
FOX 21

Duluth Huskies, St. Luke’s Foundation Hand Out Hot Dogs to Healthcare Workers

April 23, 2025
WDIO

Aspirus St. Luke’s begins negotiations over new nurses’ contract

April 17, 2025
Star Tribune

Staffing costs push some Minnesota hospitals to the financial brink

April 2, 2025
Becker's Hospital Review

RN pay by state, adjusted for cost of living | 2025

Aspirus St. Luke's Fast Facts

+ 28

new bedside nursing jobs created since 2022​

547

bedside RNs employed at Aspirus St. Luke’s as of January 2025​

10

number of Aspirus St. Luke's nurses who commit to working 40 hours per week (out of 547). We would love to have more nurses willing to commit to working more hours each week. In fact, if each nurse who is currently committed to working fewer than 40 hours per week would work just one extra shift every two weeks, our patients and care teams would benefit from an additional 111,696 hours of RN care – the equivalent of 53.7 additional full-time nurses. This would make a significant improvement in our ability to proactively staff units.

26.8

average number of hours Aspirus St. Luke’s nurses commit to working each week, based on their FTE

23.6

average number of hours actually worked each week by nurses at Aspirus St. Luke's

$54.37

average base hourly rate for Aspirus St. Luke's nurses ($113,089 annually for full-time nurses)

$63.34

average hourly rate for Aspirus St. Luke’s nurses when including shift bonuses, differentials and other pay

+17%

pay increase provided to Aspirus St. Luke's nurses over the last 3 years

2-2.5%

pay increase Duluth teachers and police will receive in 2025

-$29

million annual operating loss by Aspirus St. Luke’s in 2024 (-$16 million in 2023)

FAQ

Here are some of the questions we expect you may have regarding the ongoing negotiations with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) and our nurses at Aspirus St. Luke’s. If you have a question that hasn't been addressed, please feel free to submit it to fairquestions@aspirus.org.

History

How often do you negotiate new contracts with the MNA?
The 2022 negotiations resulted in a strike by St. Luke’s nurses that lasted three days. Is a strike typical?

Negotiations

How are you approaching this year’s negotiations?
Do you anticipate another strike by the MNA this year?

Key Topics:

Workplace Safety

What is Aspirus doing to ensure worker safety?

Technology & Innovation

Are you committed to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technological innovations to support all team members and enhance patient quality and care?

Compensation & Benefits

The final contract in 2022 included a 17% pay raise for RNs over three years, which is extremely high compared to other workers. Do you expect such a large pay increase in this new contract?
How is Aspirus St. Luke’s doing, financially? ​
Meet Our Caring Team

Excellence in Community Care

Our dedicated professionals provide top-notch medical services with a personal touch. We're here to support your health journey.

Alex Taylor
Chief Health Officer
Jordan Casey
Nursing Director
Morgan Riley
Surgical Expert
Taylor Jamie
Child Health Specialist
Parker Lee
Heart Health Expert
Jamie Alex
Family Health Doctor