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The home for VPR's coverage of health and health industry issues affecting the state of Vermont.

Nurses Union Votes To Allow Strike At UVM Medical Center, If Necessary

The sign outside of the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.
Taylor Dobbs
/
VPR File
Union nurses and UVM Medical Center have been in contract negotiations since March. The nurses' contract is set to expire July 9, and union nurses have voted to authorize a two-day strike if necessary.

Union nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington have voted to authorize a two-day strike if necessary.

The union and the hospital have been in contract negotiations since March, and the nurses' contract expires July 9.

Laurie Aunchman, president of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, told VPR Wednesday that 72 percent of the union's nurses voted, and 94 percent of that total voted in favor of a two-day strike if no progress is made in talks with the hospital and the bargaining committee decides a strike is necessary.

"The membership is in favor that if the bargaining committee feels now that after our contract expires on July 9, and we're still not making any headway or progress with UVMMC, then they have given the right to call for a two-day strike," Aunchman said.

If a strike is called for, Aunchman said nurses will give the hospital 10 days notice.

More from VPR — Contract Dispute Continues Between Nurses Union And UVM Medical Center [June 6]

Aunchman said nurses are seeking a boost in wages to retain a larger nursing staff and to keep nurses from leaving their jobs for more lucrative positions in other states.

A spokesperson for the medical centersaid the administration has been at the table for all bargaining sessions and the negotiations can be successful if the two sides use a mediator.

A graduate of NYU with a Master's Degree in journalism, Mitch has more than 20 years experience in radio news. He got his start as news director at NYU's college station, and moved on to a news director (and part-time DJ position) for commercial radio station WMVY on Martha's Vineyard. But public radio was where Mitch wanted to be and he eventually moved on to Boston where he worked for six years in a number of different capacities at member station WBUR...as a Senior Producer, Editor, and fill-in co-host of the nationally distributed Here and Now. Mitch has been a guest host of the national NPR sports program "Only A Game". He's also worked as an editor and producer for international news coverage with Monitor Radio in Boston.
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