MNA’s E & GW Commissioners stand behind HealthEast Home Care nurses

The bargaining team for HealthEast’s Home Care nurses got a boost from MNA’s E & GW Commissioners who joined them at the table on Wednesday.  The Commissioners came to show the 68-member bargaining unit and management that MNA’s 20,000 members are standing with them in their fight to achieve a first contract.

After observing negotiations over this one particular morning, it became apparent to commissioners that HealthEast administrators are playing games in the talks and hiding behind their attorney to avoid working out a fair contract.  Jennifer Michelson, chair of the E & GW Commission, said administration is disrespecting HealthEast Home Care nurses by refusing to agree to basic provisions that are part of every union contract.

“They wouldn’t even make eye contact with their own nurses.  They wouldn’t make eye contact with us,” Michelson said, “They have no intention of maintaining what nurses have now as non-contract employees.”

Nurses at HealthEast Home Care are still fighting for basic protections such as a grievance procedure with binding, neutral arbitration as well as “just cause” language that other HealthEast nurses have.