TAMC Receives Strike Notice from MSNA

On Monday, July 11, TAMC received formal notification from the Maine State Nurses Association, that its members are making a plan to strike outside the medical center’s campus on Academy Street in Presque Isle on July 22 and 23.

According to Jay Reynolds, MD, chief medical officer, “While we still hope to come to an agreement in time to avoid a strike, TAMC is prepared to continue providing safe, quality care and services to our patients. Our community should rest assured that we will have highly qualified replacement nurses working alongside TAMC staff to provide the high level of care our patients expect,”

TAMC and MSNA have met six times in the past few months while negotiating a new contract for nurses at the hospital.  The last of these sessions took place on July 6, and a contract extension expired the following day.  Tentative agreements have been reached on many issues, with just a few issues remaining.  The item on which the two sides are furthest apart involves economics.

Another item of discussion has involved staffing levels.  The hospital is not interested in instituting strict staffing ratios, which do not provide the flexibility needed to deliver high quality, safe care effectively and efficiently.

"Should it reach the point of a strike, our community should know TAMC has a strong plan in place to minimize disruption of operations, and most of all to minimize disruption to our patients," says Dr. Reynolds.

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