Northwestern nurses claim intimidation ahead of pending union vote

ST. ALBANS — Northwestern Medical Center nurses will decide Wednesday whether or not to form a union, a proposal opposed by the hospital’s administration — and some of the nurses.

Two groups of nurses rallied outside the St. Albans hospital on Friday, one with signs reading “No $ for Union Busting” and “We support our nurses” and a smaller gathering about 100 feet away with signs saying “No Union” and “Our NMC Union Free.”

Nurses announced their intention last month to hold a vote of about 160 nurses at the hospital to decide on forming a union that proponents say would give nurses a stronger say in staffing decisions and bring stability to their jobs by negotiating a contract, something they do not currently have.

The administration says they are already working to address understaffing and other issues raised by the nurses, and that a union would not help matters. A representative of the hospital also denied claims from nurses that administrators have attempted to intimidate proponents of a union ahead of the vote.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2018/10/21/northwestern-nurses-claim-intimidation-ahead-pending-union-vote/