Workers at Women and Infants Hospital have voted to authorize a potential strike. The union and the hospital are struggling to resolve a contract negotiation.
SEIU union members representing nurses and other workers say the major sticking point for them is staffing levels. Union spokesman Patrick Quinn says the hospital has had a hiring freeze for a while, and many nurses on staff are nearing retirement age.
“Every day we’re struggling to take care of people in a safe competent way. And we want to make sure we have enough staff to do that.”
Quinn says the union will make a decision about whether or not to issue a strike order by Wednesday evening. That would give the hospital 10 days notice before a walk-out.
Women & Infants Hospital officials say staffing levels are safe, and that they’re working hard to reach an agreement with the union to avoid a strike.
