Josh asked today if there was any union news. And there is some of sorts.
The union bargaining council gave their permission to the hospital negotiating committee to file a 10 day notice if there is no progress made at a Dec 23rd meeting. That meeting is with a federal negotiator.
The union is asking members to sign a postcard supporting a 10 day notice. They are not saying what it is notice of. It could be a full-on strike. It could be another informational picket. Could be somewhere in between.
Apparently, all these going ons has been unnoticed by the physicians. Recently, as a group, there was awareness and they had this to say. Surprise! It isn't easy or safe to move babies who are not even a full pound. Could you imagine? The NICU has over 50 patients alone. Max 10 or so could be handled locally. The remained would be shipped to Rochester [over an hour away] or to Pittsburgh [almost 3 hours] or maybe even Toronto [about 1.5hrs]? And then there is the rest of the hospital. And the clinics. And the emergency room.
The pharmacists have a contract for now but it will mean nothing if the hospital closes. Many people I talk to are thinking this is just the wrong timing. In today's paper, along with the article above, are articles about a local TV station cutting reporters and staff, GM plants shutting, a debt collection company closing completely with no warning yesterday, and a local container plant's inevitable closure. Yikes.
But there is sufficient support that there is no sense that this train wreck will stop in time. And people are getting scared and angry.
Any positions available at Fletcher Allen's Children's Hospital?
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