OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Some health care workers at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge are seeking new employment contracts.
Negotiations have been underway since August, and both sides agreed to delay the contract renewal date by one month.
“We hope to have a fair contract in place by November 9th that prioritizes patient protection,” said Sarah Inglehart, a nurse at the hospital.
November 9th is the new expiration date for the current contract.
The hospital's nurses and the International Service Employees Union are now appealing to the public for help.
“We need a fair contract. If hospitals don't listen to us, we will take to the streets with public support,” said SEIU's Brad Leyson. spoke. .
In a statement from Methodist Medical Center, the hospital said the process is taking longer than originally anticipated.
Methodist Medical Center said the union exercised its right to hold an informational meeting, clarified that this was not a strike and patient care was not interrupted.
“MMC is an important institution to this community, and the community knows that what makes MMC such a great institution is the people who work here,” Leyson said.
Workers want better benefits, but they say it's about more than just money.
“There are many ways to honor the employees of Methodist Medical Center who work as hard as we do,” Leyson said. “It can be paid, it can be a stipend, it can be a recognition that you are leaving Methodist and living a life where you have to take care of your children, your parents, and yourself.”
Both sides said they hope to find a solution as they continue negotiations over the next two weeks.
The hospital says its goal is to enter into a contract that prioritizes patient care and a competitive benefits and pay package for all staff.
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