Healthcare workers at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge (Tenn.) have voted down the hospital's final contract offer.
The announcement came from Service Employees International Union Local 205, which represents more than 800 MMC nurses and support staff. In a news release, SEIU said members rejected the hospital's contract offer after it was provided last week.
The union is currently in negotiations with the hospital, part of Knoxville, Tenn.-based Covenant Health, as a contract extension is set to expire Wednesday. According to the union, staffing levels, work hours, pay and health insurance are among the key sticking points.
SEIU Local 205 said a primary concern for workers involves the hospital's proposal to lower pay for new employees.
"Methodist claims they have a hard time recruiting nurses now, so we can’t see how cutting pay will make that easier," said Linda Mabry, RN.
The hospital has said new hires would receive market- driven wages with annual increases under its contract proposal.
The union noted members previously voted to authorize a strike in the event both sides failed to reach a labor deal. The union would have to provide the hospital with a 10-day notice before a strike could occur. However, the union hopes to avoid a strike through continued negotiations.
In a statement to Becker's, the hospital said it also hopes to reach a contract agreement and has proposed future negotiation sessions, while staying prepared for the possibility of a strike. The hospital also expressed disappointment in the union's decision to reject its offer.
"We believe the proposal was a fair one and helped reward our employees while at the same time helping prepare Methodist for the future. Since 2010, over 80 hospitals have closed across the country with nine of those being right here in Tennessee. We need to take steps now to be critically focused on our long-term success so we can secure a strong future for all — our patients, our employees and our community at large," Jeremy Biggs, chief administrative officer for MMC, said.
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