Asheville Mission Nurse Strike: Potential Strikes Brewing in NC, Florida, Texas

Union: HCA Strikes Brewing in Multiple States

A potential nurse strike at Mission Hospital in Asheville could lead to strikes at several other hospitals owned by the largest health system in the nation, HCA HealthCare, according to a member of the nurses’ bargaining team.

Nurses at Mission Hospital have been preparing for a strike after negotiations with management failed to reach an agreement following the expiration of their three-year contract. Key issues of contention include pay, staffing levels, and guaranteed meal and bathroom breaks.

“We are negotiating contracts with 17 different HCA hospitals across various states, including North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. This increases the likelihood of multi-hospital strikes, so we won’t be striking alone,” said Mark Klein, a nurse and member of the union bargaining unit.

A spokesperson for Mission HCA declined to comment on the possibility of multi-state strikes or the potential impact on HCA. HCA, based in Tennessee, acquired Mission Hospital and nurses unionized a year later.

Rallies and Preparations

Nurse rallies have taken place at Mission Hospital and other HCA facilities in Florida. Nurses in Florida have cited missed meal and rest breaks and inadequate staffing levels as reasons for their protests. Similar demands were echoed by nurses at Mission Hospital during a rally.

While no firm decision on striking has been made, Mission nurses are advised to pick up extra shifts to prepare for potential unpaid strike time. Strike pledges are being circulated as a precursor to a strike authorization vote, which could escalate negotiations with HCA.

Negotiations and Disputes

Negotiations between Mission nurses and HCA are ongoing, with the next bargaining meeting scheduled. In the event of a strike authorization vote, the union must provide a 10-day notice to the hospital under federal law.

Disagreements over pay increases continue, with nurses claiming that HCA’s offer of a 3.5% raise over three years is insufficient. In contrast, HCA representatives state that many nurses could receive total increases of 11.5% to 12.5%.

Other issues on which both parties have found common ground include restricting the use of artificial intelligence to avoid replacing nurses and implementing measures to reduce violence against nurses and patients.

Potential Impact of Strikes

If nurses at Mission Hospital authorize a strike, the hospital is expected to remain open with the assistance of contracted strike nurses. The hospital administration has affirmed its commitment to maintaining exceptional patient care and safety throughout any potential strike action.

Last year, 2,400 nurses at HCA hospitals in California went on strike due to workplace violence and low staffing levels, signaling a precedent for collective action across the HCA network.

Conclusion

As negotiations continue between Mission nurses and HCA, the possibility of a multi-state strike involving several HCA-owned hospitals remains heightened. While specific details of the strike are yet to be finalized, both parties are bracing for potential strike actions in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for further updates on the Asheville Mission nurse strike and its potential ramifications on the broader healthcare landscape.