UMC nurses say management has stalled bargaining on their first contract

Nurses at University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans, La., called a two-day strike for Feb. 5-6. This will be the second strike by UMC nurses amid ongoing negotiations for a first union contract with their employer, LCMC Health. UMC nurses are represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the nation’s largest union of nurses. Nurses authorized the strike in a vote on Jan. 22-23 and plan to once again hold a pre-strike sign-making party on Feb. 4 at First Grace United Methodist Church.

Nurses say management’s union-busting stall tactics have stonewalled contract negotiations, and that challenges created by a lack of preparedness and unsafe staffing during the recent, tragic mass casualty event in New Orleans highlighted some of their top concerns. Their bargaining team had previously proposed contract language to improve preparedness and care in emergency situations such as this, but management has blocked progress on that and several other key proposals.

Two-day strike for a strong contract
Where: University Medical Center, 2000 Canal St., New Orleans, La.; at the corner of Canal and Galvez St.
When: Starting Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7 a.m. and ending Friday, Feb. 7, at 7 a.m.

Sign-making party
Where: First Grace United Methodist Church, 3401 Canal St., New Orleans, La.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m.

“Nurses at UMC unionized because we knew that change would only happen if we made it happen,” said Lauren Waddell, nurse practitioner in neurosurgery. “Since we began first contract negotiations in March, nurses have been united on proposals that we know would improve staff and patient conditions. Management has rejected these proposals and continues to minimize the severity of our concerns. Enough is enough.”

“We know the best way to improve care at our hospital is when nurses have a strong unified voice at the bargaining table,” said Heidi Tujague, RN in the emergency department. “We are all frustrated with management’s behavior and their clear intent to bust our union because we want to change how health care is delivered in New Orleans. We know that, by winning this contract, the care our community deserves will drastically improve, and it will empower us to recruit and retain the kind of passionate, experienced nurses our patients at UMC deserve.”

Nurses have provided customary advance notice to management of their intent to strike.

UMC nurses voted to join NNOC/NNU in December 2023, began bargaining their first contract in March 2024, and held their first strike in October 2024, making New Orleans and Louisiana history along the way. NNOC/NNU represents nearly 600 nurses at UMC.