Dozens of registered nurses from Central Maine Medical Center picketed Tuesday against what they say are management’s attempts to stop them from unionizing.
CMMC Intensive Care Unit nurse Aaron McDaniel was among those who stood outside the Lewiston hospital. McDaniel said he was suspended last weekend, along with three other nurses in different units.
“My coworkers are up there right now. They are tired. They are hungry. And they have two patients who they need to keep alive. And they have one less nurse to do it,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said he believes he was disciplined for supporting the union effort.
Nurses are also speaking up for patient care and safe staffing. They said they often run out of bed linens and other basic patient supplies, and that the units are understaffed.
“Employment actions are based on established hospital policies and standards and not any employee’s union activity or protected rights,” a spokesman for Prime Healthcare said in a statement. “Our focus remains on caring for our patients, supporting our care teams and maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.”
The nurses will vote on Sept. 24 on whether to join the Maine State Nurses Association.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.