Nurses face discipline for peaceful protest to save obstetrics unit

MDI Hospital Nurses Stand Firm Amidst Disciplinary Measures

Registered nurses at Mount Desert Island Hospital (MDIH) continue their efforts to maintain the obstetrics unit in Bar Harbor, despite facing disciplinary actions from the hospital's administration. The Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC) announced that nurses are experiencing backlash following their peaceful protest on May 8.

On May 12, MDIH attorneys issued a letter to five obstetrics nurses, informing them of written warnings as a consequence of their protest. MSNA/NNOC President Cokie Giles, RN, commented:

“MSNA stands squarely with these nurses who are facing extreme retaliation from CEO Chrissi Maguire.

“Instead of working with nurses toward solutions that could save Bar Harbor’s obstetrics unit, MDI Hospital’s management is resorting to lowbrow tactics. Labelling a peaceful assembly of nurses and community members as an ‘unruly mob’ is an attempt to distract from the community’s overwhelming opposition to their reckless and dangerous decision.

“Nurses are fighting for Bar Harbor’s patients and their community recognizes this. We are grateful for all of the community members who are in this fight with us and ask for your continued support in keeping up the pressure – it’s working clearly, and we will win this fight.”

The Maine State Nurses Association is affiliated with the National Nurses Organizing Committee, representing over 4,000 nurses and caregivers across Maine. NNOC operates under National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the U.S., boasting over 225,000 members nationwide.

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