FORT KENT, Maine – The National Labor Relations Board notified Northern Maine Medical Center on Sept 15 that the registered nurses have asked that a secret ballot election be held to decertify the union, which means conducting a vote to remove the union’s representation of the nurses at NMMC.
We expected the election to take place in the month of October or November. However, the union has submitted a challenge to the validity of the showing of interest (the signatures submitted in support of the petition), which has resulted in a delay of the election process.
With the shutdown of the government on Oct. 1 these issues remain unresolved. At this time, we do not know when the election will be held. This is up to the National Labor Relations Board.
It is our understanding that nurses have secured legal counsel through the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to eliminate coercive union power and compulsory unionism abuses.
The union, in a recent publication to nurses, referenced the Decertification Election at Maine Health. The union agreed to let the nurses vote and decide at Maine Health. We would hope the union would extend the same courtesy to NMMC nurses. However, the union has demanded to continue to bargain, which is their right under the law, even though the majority of nurses may not agree with being represented by this union.
The decertification process expressly prohibits Northern Maine Medical Center from directly assisting the nurses with this effort. However, we can and have provided information on the process. We believe it is important that all of our nurses’ voices are heard.
