MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Thousands of striking nurses in Minnesota have a tentative agreement with their hospital system.

Gov. Mark Dayton announced the agreement Tuesday morning after a 17-hour session at the governor's residence in St. Paul aided by federal mediators.

The nurses have been on strike at five Allina Health hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area since Labor Day over issues including health insurance. The agreement now goes to rank-and-file members of the Minnesota Nurses Association for a vote. An earlier tentative agreement was rejected last week.

Dayton said in a statement a vote was expected by Thursday.

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