I was disturbed to read last week that Maine Medical Center is asking all nurses on staff to attend mandatory so-called “training” about the purported disadvantages of unionization.

Attending these sessions, hosted by Reliant Labor Consultants, will require nurses to “step away from their work caring for patients, delivering vaccines and conducting coronavirus tests” (according to a leaked memo paraphrased by an Associated Press reporter).

How insulting to imply that nurses aren’t capable of doing their own research and making their own decisions about whether they wish to join a union. How unfair to make their already-heroic jobs even harder by pressuring them to take the time to attend training sessions led by a firm that openly advertises that it helps its clients “avoid the many significant problems that arise when work groups are organized.”

This move would be unfortunate at any time, but during a pandemic it seems particularly shameful.

Hillary Barter
South Portland