Members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, have called a third strike at University Medical Center in New Orleans amid contract negotiations.
The union represents nearly 600 nurses at the hospital, according to the NNOC/NNU. University Medical Center, part of LCMC Health, employs 2,779 people.
Union members delivered a strike notice to management on April 21 and are preparing for a strike on May 1, according to a news release. The union and hospital began negotiating a new labor contract in March 2024, and UMC nurses struck in October and again in February.
“LCMC management has tried to stall our contract negotiations because they think they can wait us out,” Heidi Tujague, RN, said in the union release. “But we are in this for every patient who will benefit from knowing we will have a contract that will improve our hospital. We’re striking for our patients.”
UMC shared the following statement with Becker’s:
“University Medical Center New Orleans is aware that the union has called for a third strike in six months. We remain dedicated to serving our community with uninterrupted, high-quality care. We are committed to the collective bargaining process and working towards a fair contract.
“Our priority is, and always will be, providing reliable care to our patients and their families. As always, we will be fully operational and well prepared to meet the needs of our community.”