NMMC Nurses Resolve to Fight Retaliation, Prioritize Patient Safety

Union Nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center Stand Firm Amidst Challenges

For more than two years, nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) have been engaged in efforts to establish a union contract, demonstrating unwavering dedication to both their patients and their workplace. This commitment was underscored in a letter released by the union nurses, part of which states:

“Over the past two years, you have no doubt heard about the conflict that has grown between the hospital and us.

We want you to know that we never asked for this fight. The initiative to organize our union was to protect ourselves and our patients, not to punish any individuals or the hospital as a whole.”

The nurses have outlined their immediate goals, which focus on achieving safe staffing levels, enhancing transparency and accountability at NMMC, retaining local medical professionals, and ensuring the hospital's long-term sustainability.

According to Terry Caron, RN and a member of the bargaining team, the formation of the union was intended to give nurses and their patients a voice. Caron stated, “Two years ago, we decided to have a voice for ourselves and our patients by forming our union. The NMMC administration could have met us halfway, but it did not. It has only fought us and tried to punish us for speaking up. But we are as committed to our goals as ever. We will never stop fighting for our patients.”

The rallying cry of the nurses has attracted support from key figures such as Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry, gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson, and U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner. These leaders have called on NMMC CEO Jeff Zewe to cease any retaliatory actions against the nurses and to complete the union contract negotiations that have been ongoing for nearly two years.

The Maine State Nurses Association, affiliated with the National Nurses Organizing Committee, represents 4,000 nurses and other healthcare professionals across the region. NNOC is linked to National Nurses United, the largest and most rapidly growing labor union of registered nurses in the U.S., boasting nearly 225,000 members nationwide.

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