A Minnesota nurses union says it has reached a tentative deal with several Twin Cities health care providers to avert a strike after months of bargaining, but adds the fight continues for its Duluth-area members.

Negotiations have been taking place since March, and nurses in the Twin Cities and Duluth voted last week to authorize a strike. Duluth-area nurses planned to begin a strike on July 8, with workers at Essentia's East Market Advanced Practice Providers announcing a strike date of July 10.

The Minnesota Nurses Association says nurses at the Essentia Twin Ports acute care hospital have reached a tentative agreement with Essentia Health to avoid an unfair labor practice strike.