DULUTH — An unauthorized protest by the Minnesota Nurses Association disrupted attendees of the Essentia Health Leadership Conference at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on Oct. 7.

The incident occurred around noon in the Harbor Side Convention Center. Both Essentia and the union had rented separate spaces at the DECC over a two-day period.

There were about 170 people at Essentia’s conference when a large group with the MNA engaged in the confrontation, the DECC reported in a news release. The disturbance was reported by DECC staff and confirmed by video surveillance.

Essentia referred to the behavior exhibited by the MNA as “unacceptable.” The MNA did not immediately respond to a request for an interview regarding the incident.

“Using this unfortunate event as an opportunity

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