L+M Strike Date Set for Nov. 27

The unions representing registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and health care technicians at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital delivered a 10-day notice of intent to strike during Friday’s negotiating session.

According to the unions’ spokesman, Matt O’Connor, “little progress” was made in the Friday negotiations, and the unions gave L+M notice of intent to conduct “informational picketing” outside the hospital on Monday, Nov. 25, and intent to strike for up to four days starting on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

“Our negotiating committee members remain hopeful that we can resolve our concerns over the impact of moving patient-care services off-site with a mutual agreement before Nov. 27,” O’Connor said via email Saturday morning.

The unions and Lawrence + Memorial Corp., the entity that owns and runs L+M, agreed to another round of negotiations on Thursday, Nov. 21.

“Our focus remains on negotiating in good faith toward a resolution agreeable to both sides,” said hospital spokesman Michael O’Farrell. “As we are required to do, we have taken the necessary steps to notify the Department of Health and begin providing them with our contingency plans, should they be necessary.”

The unions’ contracts expire at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, but O’Farrell said all hospital services and programs will continue as usual while the negotiations are ongoing.