Nurses’ union and SRMC talks continue
No resolution reached in ongoing negotiations as of print deadline Friday night
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SALEM -- No resolution was reached in ongoing negotiations between the nurses' union and the Salem Regional Medical Center as of print deadline Friday night.
SRMC nurses represented by the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), American Federation of Teachers, Salem Regional Nurses Association issued a 10-day strike notice April 12. A press release issued by the union regarding the notice, outlined their "primary concern" as the implementation of safe staffing standards and "nationally recognized nurse-to-patient ratios in all patient care units that are vital to achieving optimal patient outcomes and providing high-quality care." The nurses are also demanding competitive wages which will "attract and retain skilled nursing personnel and prevent staffing difficulties and nurse turnover that directly impact patient care" moving forward.
Sara Harkleroad, president of the Salem Registered Nurses Association and Oncology nurse at Salem Regional Medical Center, said that negotiations were still ongoing and expected to continue late into the evening Friday when reached for comment. Harkleroad said that while progress had been made regarding concessions, there had still been no counteroffer on staffing.
"We are still in negotiations today and will likely be at the table into the evening. We have removed several concessions from the table, but still have not seen a counterproposal on staffing," said Harkleroad.
This echoes previous comments from Harkleroad regarding the previous negotiation session held Tuesday, saying that while the union felt that "movement was made in relation to wages and removing some concessions," there had been no movement on the staffing issues.
"The hospital has not responded to our staffing proposal we gave on March 12, nor the modified proposal we gave last week," said Harkleroad.
The union and SRMC are slated to continue negotiations in another all-day session today, if necessary, the final one scheduled prior to the expiration of the union's current contract, which includes 120 members which Harkleroad has said comprised the majority of the hospital's nursing staff, expires at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Harkleroad said Thursday that the union intended to stay at the table long as it took to come to an acceptable agreement, noting Friday that they "hoped to have a tentative agreement for members to vote on this weekend," and that should a prospective agreement fail to pass they would then vote again on whether to strike prior to its commencement at 7 a.m. on Monday.
For the SRMC's part, they continue to remain at the bargaining table as well, with Salem Regional Medical Center Vice President of Marketing and Planning Debbie Pietrzak saying that negotiations were "still underway," and that the SRMC "intended to continue to stay at the negotiating table for as long as they feel it will be helpful," when contacted for comment Friday evening. Attitudes going into Friday's negotiations also seemed positive with Pietrzak explaining that while she could not directly comment on the status of the ongoing negotiations recent television media coverage that had reported positive progress in Tuesday's negotiations when contacted for comment Thursday.
The SRMC has maintained its intention to continue negotiating in good faith to resolve the issue and agree on a new contract since the strike-notice was first issued, with Pietrzak issuing the following statement the same day.
"Salem Regional Medical Center is one of the few independent hospitals that is still not-for-profit, which means that generating a profit is not our motive. Our top priority is taking care of our patients and providing a safety net of healthcare services for our community. We are continuing good faith negotiations with the nurses' bargaining unit and our goal is to achieve a mutually agreeable contract renewal, as we have in past years. SRMC greatly appreciates the care and dedication provided by every member of our staff."