University of Vermont Medical Center nurses say they are going on strike after months of contract negotiations. þþThe strike would last for two days. þþThe union plans to deliver a 10-day strike notice to the management of Vermont's largest hospital on Monday morning, nurses union spokesman Keith Brunner said Sunday. þþThe union plans to host a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Monday. þþÿWe are, of course, disappointed,ÿ Laurie Gunn, the medical center's vice president of employee, patient and family experience, told the Burlington Free Press Sunday afternoon. ÿWe know it would be a great impact to our community, to our organization.ÿþþÿWe are hopeful to keep the dialogue going so that doesn't happen,ÿ she said. þþMore: What would UVM Medical Center nurses' strike mean for patients? þþMore: UVM Medical Center nurses vote to authorize strikeþþLast month, the nurses voted overwhelmingly to authorize a two-day strike.þþThe lead negotiator for the nurses' union has said the main issues at the center of contract negotiations are the same as three years ago: working conditions, pay and staffing levels.þþGunn said the hospital and the union negotiated through the weekend, and that the notice would not impact negotiations. þþÿWe think that we have a competitive proposal, especially around our wages, on the table,ÿ she said. ÿWe hope to continue to talk with the union about how we can reach agreement.ÿ þþThe current contract expires Monday, July 9. þþUVM Medical Center management has remained optimistic a strike would be avoided, but has engaged an outside firm to prepare for a strike. Should the strike occur, the firm would provide the hospital with outside nurses. þþÿWe are confident we that will be able to bring in the agency nurses to keep our services going during that time,ÿ Gunn said. þþ
Source: www.burlingtonfreepress.com
