Last year, nurses at Maine Medical Center voted for union representation by Maine State Nurses Association. Since then, the number of nurses who now oppose this representation has grown, and we have collected enough signatures to support a decertification election.

The fractured relationships between nurses has reached a boiling point and the best way to heal as a team is to vote out MSNA/National Nurses United. While MMC and MSNA have met frequently to collectively bargain in good faith, we have yet to vote on the first contract. There have been few tentative agreements made, almost all of which are either guaranteed by state law or boilerplate union contract language, but nothing to improve conditions for registered nurses at MMC.

Nurse staff ratios at MMC are already better than recommended by national nursing organizations. We have missed out on raises, and there’s nothing to support retention of our registered nurses. Nurses on the bargaining committee are now looking to support a strike. With wave after wave of COVID hitting our community, the thought of walking out on our patients horrifies nurses.

We have been silenced by the group who claims to be our exclusive representation. A strong group of nurses working together for the benefit of our profession could be a force for change, but it will never happen with guidance from National Nurses United. The power of our collaborative voice only comes from having a direct working relationship with leadership, not through empty union promises.

Davin Brooks, R.N.
Portland

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