Registered nurses and hospital technicians at Down East Community Hospital (DECH) in Machias, Maine will hold a rally for a fair contract on July 18, to protest hospital mismanagement that makes it difficult to recruit and retain quality staff, announced the Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA) today.

“We are standing up and demanding that DECH management invest in safe patient care and staffing,” said Berta Alley, RN. “Right now, lack of investment is causing problems with the recruitment of new RNs and retention of longtime employees, to the detriment of patient care conditions. Our community deserves better.”

What: Rally for a Fair Contract
When: Thursday, July 18, 5pm-7pm
Where: The dike in Machias, Maine

MSNA represents nurses and technicians at DECH. They have been in contract negotiations since October 2018.

Contact Jennifer Nappi 207-401-8792 to arrange interviews with DECH nurses and technicians.

The Maine State Nurses Association is affiliated nationally with the National Nurses Organizing Committee