What is the reason for the Houlton Regional Hospital nurses' strike?

The nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital are striking to protest the hospital's failure to address staffing shortages and patient care concerns in the emergency department.

What impact has the closure of Houlton Regional Hospital's maternal services department had on the emergency department?

The absence of OB nurses in the emergency department has exacerbated the staffing issues and puts patients at risk if nurses have to prioritize a mother in labor.

Home / Health / Nurses Strike at Maine's Houlton Regional Hospital to Protest Staffing Issues

Nurses Strike at Maine's Houlton Regional Hospital to Protest Staffing Issues

Q: How long has the Houlton Regional Hospital been negotiating a new contract with the nurses' union?

The nurses have been negotiating a new contract for over a year, with the previous contract expiring last November.

14 Nov

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Summary

Nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital in Maine to strike over staffing and patient care concerns
Emergency department facing short staffing, leading to overcrowding and compromised care
Nurses hope strike will force management to address their long-standing issues

Nurses Strike at Maine's Houlton Regional Hospital to Protest Staffing Issues

Nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital (HRH) in Maine are set to go on strike next week to protest the hospital's failure to address staffing and patient care concerns. The 55 nurses represented by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC) have been negotiating a new contract for over a year, with the previous one expiring last November.

According to the union, the hospital's emergency department is facing severe short staffing, with only two nurses on duty to care for 12-14 patients waiting to be evaluated at the start of each shift. This overwhelming workload makes it extremely difficult for nurses to provide proper care, and the lack of available inpatient beds further exacerbates the situation. Nurses say the hallways are often full of patients due to the severity of their conditions.