Nurses’ union overwhelmingly votes for strike, collective bargaining continues

Members of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals have voted overwhelmingly to strike if they cannot reach a collective bargaining agreement with UVMMC. (File photo)

Burlington, VT – A possible strike for UVM Medical Center nurses is up for debate after an overwhelming majority of union members voted to strike if the union deems it necessary. However, hospital administration is still trying to reach a compromise on their contract.

Across from UVM Medical Center, members of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals announced they had voted in favor of a strike. President Deb Snell says about 90% of the 1,900-member union showed up to vote last week, and 85% of them voted in favor of a possible strike.

Snell said, “We know what we need to keep nurses here in Vermont, and to bring nurses here, the hospital really has to listen to us.”

UVMMC President Dr. Stephen Leffler says the nurses are asking for a 46% raise for the entire term of the contract. Under the union’s proposal, nurses would receive a 5% raise at the end of the contract, 15% in the first year, 10% in the second and third years, and 2% annual raises. The hospital says this could result in higher health insurance rates in the first year, but the union calls it fair pay.

UVMMC countered with a 17 percent raise. Leffler said nurses typically receive a 2 percent raise each year for 24 years.

Snell said, “We did a lot of research on the negotiating team and looked at other Level 1 trauma centers and teaching hospitals around the country with similar costs of living, and those nurses there initially make about $10 more an hour than we do here.”

Time is running out for negotiations to be completed, or the hospital will have to pay a company to support the strike by July 1, according to Dr. Leffler. He is confident a contract can be reached within the next four rounds of negotiations.

Leffler said, “I think the nurses and the administration have the same goal: a collective bargaining agreement that works for them and for us. A good collective bargaining agreement is good for recruitment, it’s good for retention and it’s good for the nurses. We have the same goal in mind and are committed to paying the best wages possible.”

Snell says the union is entitled to a five-day strike. If that happens, UVMMC is prepared and has a contingency plan for patient care and support. The contract ends July 9, with four rounds of negotiations remaining, with the next round of negotiations being Wednesday. Leffler says a federal mediator will be coming in the next few days.