Nurses are reportedly preparing to strike at Northern Light Health’s Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
The hospital said Friday morning that it received a notice from the union that the nurses plan to strike for three days beginning on March 23.
“The medical center provided the Union a very strong offer that recognizes and supports our nurses with direct investments in very competitive wages, benefits, and training and continues to support high quality care for our patients. We believe our nurses should have the opportunity to review and vote on this offer prior to the Union carrying out a strike on the medical center. While we hope the Union will give their membership this chance, EMMC is prepared to continue providing care and services for our patients. We will have highly qualified replacement nurses working alongside EMMC staff to provide the high level of care our patients expect,” the hospital’s president, Ava Collins, said in a statement.
EMMC is working to have replacement nurses available during the strike to minimize any impact on patients.
“Although strikes are a common Union event, it’s always disheartening when this national tactic hits close to home. We value our nurses and are proud of the care we provide for our communities. We will continue to have discussion with the Union with a focus on coming to a fair and reasonable contract,” Collins said.
