BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center are planning to hold a vote next week on whether to authorize a two-day strike.
Nurse negotiator Julie MacMillan says the vote does not mean the nurses will go on strike, but it will give the bargaining committee the tools to demonstrate to the hospital they are serious about their concerns.
The nurses are seeking a boost in wages and more nursing staff.
UVM Medical Center spokesman Michael Carrese says he’s hopeful negotiations can be successful because both sides have agreed to four more bargaining sessions in June.
Nurses say wages are lower than some area hospitals and staffing levels are not sufficient.
Carrese said the hospital is offering to boost wages and has created 120 new positions since 2016.
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