Maine press releases

First Maine RN Leader Cokie Giles is Elected to National Nurses Union Presidency

Cokie Giles, RN, president of the Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA) and a working nurse at the endoscopy clinic at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, has been elected as one of the four presidents of National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), one of the largest and fastest growing direct-care RN unions in the United States. Maine has been affiliated with the NNOC since 2006.

Maine State Nurses Association/NNOC/NNU

May 30, 2013

Maine RNs, Community, and Labor Groups Kick Off New Healthcare Campaign on Nurses Week

More than 130,000 Maine residents have no health coverage and those with insurance are experiencing drastic reductions in vital services. Personal stories pouring in from residents throughout the state who are suffering as a result of insufficient healthcare will be presented to elected leaders as evidence of the need for dramatic change.

May 6, 2013

MSNA/NNU Nurses Win Staffing, Raises and No Mandatory Overtime at Calais Regional Hospital

Nurses represented by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses United have won a two year contract that includes wage increase, provisions for safe staffing and language that prohibits the employer from forcing employees to work beyond their shift or regular schedule.

Maine State Nurses Association

December 28, 2012

Nurses to Testify Against For-Profit Takeover of Dialysis Services

Registered Nurses, members of the Maine State Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee /National Nurses United -- the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in the country, with 175,000 members -- will hold a press conference in front of Spectacular Events in Bangor on Tuesday, July 10 at 9:30 am, to call attention to the proposed sale of Eastern Maine Medical Center’s dialysis services to DaVita Inc., the nation’s largest for-profit dialysis provider.

Maine Nurses Press Release

July 9, 2012

Nurses Ratify Contract at EMMC with Patient Safety Provisions

Registered nurses at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine ratified a three year contract last night with important improvements in patient safety and enhanced professional and economic standards. The registered nurses are represented by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses United. The NNU is the largest union and professional organization of nurses in the U.S., with over 170,000 members.

MSNA Media Advisory

May 30, 2012

Nurses, Techs and the Community Hold Rally to Encourage DECH Administration to Listen

The Nurses and Techs from Down East Community Hospital have been bargaining since last Fall to have a fair and equitable contract. Nurses, Techs, all staff have worked hard to overcome the adversity of the receivership in the past few years to provide the best possible care in the State. The staff provides the highest level of care and management is taking the wrong direction for the community of Machias.

MSNA Media Advisory

April 9, 2012

Nurses at EMMC Ratify Contract

In one of closest votes in its history, Nurses represented by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses United ratified a one-year agreement with EMMC late Tuesday evening. Nurses at EMMC have been in bargaining since August 2010, and had to strike EMMC in November to demonstrate their commitment to safe patient care. The three major points of contention were staffing, job security and health benefits.

Press Release

May 4, 2011

Nurses Hopeful that EMMC Will Address Patient Safety as Second Strike Vote is Set

Bangor, ME – Nurses represented by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Unite (MSNA/NNU) have issued a second notice to EMMC over the weekend for a one day strike on Thursday, May 5th. Nurses voted on April 12 to authorized a second strike if management would not move any closer to solving the safe staffing problems and other issues at the next bargaining session.

Press Release

April 26, 2011

MSNA Nurses Vote to Authorize Second Strike – EMMC Still Not Committed to Patient Safety

Bangor, ME – Registered nurses at Eastern Maine Medical Center voted Tuesday night to authorize a second strike if management continues to ignore patient safety issues at the Medical Center.

Press Release

April 13, 2011

As Gov. LePage Threatens to Bring Wisconsin’s Nightmare to Maine, State’s Nurses Say No!

Sounding the alarm bell on anti-union legislation supported by Gov. LePage that is chillingly similar to the infamous legislation in Wisconsin, registered nurses from across Maine will gather this Wednesday, March 2 to protest. The RNs, from the Maine State Nurses Association, will highlight the real dangers such legislation poses to every patient in the state and demand politicians recognize and respect the very same rights to collectively bargain and associate that are under attack in Wisconsin. LePage has so far published LD788, the first of multiple bills expected on the topic.

Press Release

March 30, 2011