As they are once again struggling with a for-profit owner that is placing a concern for profits over a concern for the safety of patients
For over a year the nurses of St. Vincent Hospital have been attempting to negotiate their first contract with Vanguard Health Systems, the newest for-profit owner of the hospital. These nurses, who conducted an historic strike in 2000 against Tenet Healthcare over the issues of staffing and mandatory overtime, are once again locked in a protracted dispute with the new owners over similar concerns.
Specific issues in dispute include the nurses’ desire to set safer staffing levels in the hospital; establish a prohibition on routinely assigning nurses additional non-nursing tasks that detract from their ability to provide safe patient care; protection of health insurance benefits; pay parity with nurses at UMass Memorial; and the nurses’ strong opposition to a number of management proposals to strip nurses’ contract rights. This includes a change that would allow management the right to override hard-fought limits on the use of mandatory overtime — the key issue leading to the 49-day strike in 2000.
Vanguard is a multi-billion dollar corporation that is posting significant profits at St. Vincent Hospital. Despite this, they are cutting back on patient care resources, applying an assembly line mentality to the delivery of patient care, and refusing to pay competitive wages. This combination is endangering patients, safe nursing practice and the ability to recruit and retain registered nurses.
Nurses combine job action with toy drive
The nurses of St. Vincent Hospital recognize that there is an abundant need in the Worcester community for food, toys, and services especially during the holidays and cold winter months. In addition to picketing, the local bargaining unit is using this gathering of nurses as a toy drive to support children and families in need during the holiday season. If you are planning to attend the picketing, please consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the drive.
Directions to St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center:
20 Worcester Center Blvd., Worcester
From the East:
Take the Mass Pike West to Exit 11, I-495. Take I-495 North to I-290 West. Take I-290 West to Exit 16, Central Street. At the end of the ramp, turn right at the lights.
From the North:
Take I-495 South to I-290 West. Take I-290 West to Exit 16, Central Street. At the end of the ramp, turn right at the lights.
From the South:
Take Rt. 146 to Worcester to I-290 East. Take I-290 East to Exit 16, Central Street. At the end of the ramp, turn left at the lights.
From the West:
Take the Mass Pike East to Exit 10, Auburn. Take I-290 East to Exit 16, Central Street. At the end of the ramp take a left at the lights.
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