AKRON, Ohio — The Professional Staff Nurses Association, Ohio Nurses Association of Akron General Cleveland Clinic have notified the hospital of their intent to strike due to a stall in ongoing contract negotiations.
According to the nurses union, negotiations began on January 9 as part of their effort to "discuss top priorities on fair labor practices and safe staffing."
The contract expired on Feb. 29. The potential picketing is set to take place from March 6 through March 8.
Several statements from union leadership can be seen below:
“Our nurses are the direct line of care for patients. We don’t feel that we’re able to do our jobs safely under current conditions to provide the quality care our patients deserve,” said Linzi Lentz, Co-Chair of the Professional Staff Nurses Association, Ohio Nurses Association of Akron General. “Hospital executives continue to disregard our plea for safe patient limits to better serve our patients and community. We are hopeful that picketing will send a strong message to the hospital that we are not backing down.”
“It’s a shame that Akron General executives don’t value their nurses enough to come to the table and bargain for what patients and nurses need,” said Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN, Ohio Nurses Association President and Executive Director. “Before the pandemic, nurses were already working hard and long hours every day to ensure the best care possible for our patients. The pandemic made it more difficult with many nurses leaving the bedside. These nurses need a strong contract that collectively allows them to be justly compensated and work in an environment with safe staffing.”
Cleveland Clinic Akron General released the following statement in response to the union's notification:
"We are continuing good faith negotiations with the nurses' bargaining unit at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Our goal is to achieve a mutually agreeable contract renewal, as we have in past years. Akron General greatly appreciates the care provided by all caregivers, including those in the bargaining unit, at the hospital.”