Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Medical Center nurses voted to authorize a strike at the region's largest hospital, with 94 percent voting “yes" in polls held over the past three days. The results were revealed Wednesday morning. Seventy-two percent of nurses in the bargaining unit participated in the vote, which enables the union to call a strike when the contract expires on July 9 if negotiations fail to make progress.
At issue, the union said in a statement, is the chronic understaffing of the hospital and clinics.
The nurses, represented by Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (VFNHP), have proposed updated staffing grids and compensation policies - including immediate outpatient equity and at least $15/hr for all UVM Medical Center employees - that will incentivize the recruitment and retention of nurses and support staff.
Despite two months of negotiations, however, the union said management has yet to offer realistic proposals to address short-staffing.
"This vote demonstrates our resolve to address this crisis and makes it clear we are willing to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes to secure a contract that improves patient care," said Sharon Schroeder, Mother/Baby nurse and VFNHP communications chair.
Source: VFNHP 6.13.2018. unitednurses.info