Maine Medical Center Nurses Ratify New Contract with Safety Measures

Nurses at Maine Medical Center Approve New Union Contract

Following almost four months of negotiations, nurses at Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland have successfully voted to approve a new union contract that introduces several safety measures for both patients and nurses. This agreement, set to last three years, marks the second contract for MMC nurses since their decision in 2021 to join the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC), a part of National Nurses United. The first contract was secured by MMC nurses in September 2022.

“We’re thrilled to have won so many improvements that will benefit our patients, our community, and the 2,500 nurses that work in our hospital,” stated Meg Sinclair, RN, an emergency department nurse and a union bargaining team member. She added, “We formed our union to have a real voice in patient care and to improve Maine Med for everyone. This historic agreement gives union nurses even greater power and voice to further improve patient care at Maine Med for the foreseeable future.”

The newly ratified contract includes several key enhancements:

• Workplace violence protections, featuring increased security measures and weapons screening to ensure safety and enhanced nurse representation on MMC’s Workplace Violence Committee.
• Safe staffing: Most charge nurses will not have direct patient assignments, allowing them to focus on staff support.
• Increased meal break coverage to ensure nurses have time to eat during their shifts.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Greater nurse participation on MMC’s DEI committee.
• Economic benefits: The contract provides a 21 percent wage increase over its duration, alongside improved time-off benefits aimed at retaining and recruiting experienced nurses.

“The overwhelming vote by union nurses to ratify this contract shows that we support the health and safety of our patients above all else,” remarked Janel Crowley, RN, who works in the neonatal intensive care unit and is a member of the union bargaining team. “When people come to our hospital as patients, they can be sure that we will give them the best possible care and are more able to do that, now that we have these new contract provisions in place.”

The contract will be in effect from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

The Maine State Nurses Association represents over 4,000 nurses and caregivers from Portland to Fort Kent and is affiliated with National Nurses Organizing Committee, the largest and fastest-growing union for registered nurses in the United States.

Maine State Nurses Association is part of National Nurses Organizing Committee, representing 4,000 nurses and other caregivers from Portland to Fort Kent. NNOC is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing labor union of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide.