Houlton Regional Hospital officials have received notice that registered nurses plan a two-day strike beginning Nov. 18, hospital representatives said Tuesday in a press release.
The hospital has a contingency plan to cover services during the strike that would result in no disruption of services, officials said.
The nurses are planning the strike to protest understaffing, according to their representatives at the Maine State Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee.
Northern Maine Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Jeff Zewe and Chief Financial Officer Aaron Teachout took over the management of the Houlton hospital in May through a one-year agreement.
“We are disappointed that the bargaining unit registered nurses have chosen to strike and step away from their patients,” Zewe said in the release. “We have been meeting regularly with the nurses’ representatives and have made a fair and competitive offer that includes a substantial wage increase over the duration of the contract, along with enhancements to employee benefits.”
Both the Fort Kent and Houlton hospitals have been adding services and hiring more staff, he said.
The hospital’s focus is on the patients and the community, Zewe said.
