UMC Nurses Return from Strike, Eager for Strong Contract Negotiations

Nurses Return to Work at University Medical Center After Strike

Nurses at the University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans, Louisiana, have resumed their duties following a recent two-day strike and a subsequent three-day lockout by management, coinciding with the Super Bowl weekend. The strike, held on February 5 and 6, was part of the nurses' efforts to secure a robust initial contract with LCMC Health management.

Hailey Dupre, a registered nurse in the endoscopy unit at UMC, commented on the situation, stating, “We were ready to go back to work on Friday, but management decided instead to lock us out through the weekend.” Dupre added that some colleagues were allowed to return early, suggesting management used the lockout as a punitive measure for the strike. Despite this, she emphasized their readiness to resume work and move forward with contract negotiations.

Following their historic union election in December 2023, the nurses at UMC have been engaged in negotiations for their first contract since March 2024. The ongoing talks have been marked by frustration over management's approach, with critical issues like staffing and nurse retention remaining unresolved. The recent two-day strike is the second such action by UMC nurses, who previously held a one-day strike in October 2024. As they return to work, they are also preparing to re-enter negotiations.

Terry Mogilles, a registered nurse in the trauma orthopedic clinic at UMC, expressed optimism about the impact of their recent strike. “We saw our movement of nurses out on the strike line last week. Now, we’re ready for movement at the table,” Mogilles said. He stressed the importance of being heard by management to enhance safety and quality at UMC for patients and staff, declaring, “Enough is enough. It’s time for our contract to get done.”

The nurses at UMC are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), which is the largest nurses union in the United States and represents nearly 600 nurses at the hospital.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

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