The union, which represents about 600 nurses at UMC, called for the strike on Jan. 24, after an authorization vote. While union members planned a two-day strike, nurses will remain away from their roles through Feb. 9, Super Bowl Sunday, per contract requirements with the staffing agency providing replacement workers, CEO John Nickens said, according to NOLA.com.
In a Feb. 3 news release, union members contend management has stalled progress on their first labor contract. UMC nurses voted to unionize in December 2023 and have been in negotiations for their first contract since March 2024. UMC nurses first struck in October.
“We don’t take this decision lightly,” Shonda Franklin, RN, said in the release. “But so many of us are tired of seeing our fellow nurses leave UMC because management can’t ensure basic things like uninterrupted lunch breaks on our 12-hour shifts. It’s time for a change, and a strong contract is how we get that done.”
When the second strike was announced, the hospital emphasized its commitment to reaching a contract “that allows UMC to attract and retain outstanding nurses and continue to deliver exceptional care to our patients and community.” UMC also alleges bad-faith bargaining on the part of the union.