Nurses at 43-bed Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vt., plan to strike at the end of the month if no progress is made on contract talks.
The nurses say their most serious issue is the hospital's practice of moving nurses out of specialized units and into a pool so that they can work shifts in any department at any time. The nurses claim the practice, which they call the "resource pool," diminishes the quality of care patients receive.
"The big issue here is the administration's vision for patient care, which is to have every nurse work in every area," said Jeanne Joes, an organizer of the Copley nurses, who belong to the Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals Local 5191.
The union believes Copley should recognize the importance of allowing specialized nurses to remain solely in specific departments.
The nurses also are after guaranteed work hours, more stable scheduling, and what union local President Sue Lucas calls "basic issues of dignity and respect."
More than 90% of the 70 unionized nurses approved the April 30 strike date. The union originally voted to strike April 18 but pushed the date back.
Lucas said the union and hospital officials met three times in recent weeks, and while nurses were pleased with some of the progress, many were left with the impression that the administration was stalling on key issues.
Hospital officials moved this week to assure quality patient care and a smooth transition in the event of a strike.
"The plan is to limit no services," said Toni Kaeding, who was brought in by hospital executives to prepare the hospital for a strike.
Copley has a team of temporary nurses from a national agency that provides replacement workers to fill in for striking hospital workers.
Talks between the hospital and union are continuing.
