VT Insights: Why candidates are wading into UVM nurses strike

Aki Soga | Burlington Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Bernie Sanders has harsh words for UVM Medical Center admin and defends nurses Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, held a news conference on Friday, July 7, 2018, supporting nurses and criticizing UVM Medical Center.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, as well as gubernatorial hopefuls James Ehlers and Christine Hallquist are among candidates wading into the contract impasse between nurses and the UVM medical center that has led to a strike vote.

The political calculus here is simple.

Organized labor is a critical part of the base for Sanders, who calls himself a democratic socialist, as it is for Zuckerman, a Progressive-Democrat, and Ehlers and Hallquist, who are seeking the Democratic nomination in next month's primary.

On Friday, Sanders, who is seeking a third term as Vermont's independent U.S. senator, held a news conference with representatives of the nurses union to show his support for their demands. He took direct aim at the leaders of the medical center, which is one of Vermont's largest employers.

The money line from his news conference: “I find it hard to believe that the hospital has enough money to pay nearly $11 million to 15 administrators, including more than $2 million to the CEO, but apparently doesn’t have enough money to pay their nurses the same wages nurses earn across the lake in Plattsburgh.”

Also on Friday, Ehlers, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, released a letter addressed to "UVMC Administration Bargaining Team" in support of the union.

Ehlers said the nurses are seeking "to be put in a position to safely treat patients."

"The bargaining team must respect these reasonable concerns and come to the table with a sincere effort to offer a fair contract that respects nurses’ basic rights and patient needs," the gubernatorial candidate said.

Hallquist on Monday issued a a "Call to Action and Statement" on the impending strike, writing of the nurses, "They deserve not only fair compensation for their work, but a safe working environment.

She added, "I have been dismayed that those who care for us have not been cared for in return."

UVM nurses strike

Zuckerman weighed in on the contract talks back on June 5, before the union voted to strike.

In an email blast with the subject line "I stand with UVM Nurses" from his campaign account, the lieutenant governor wrote, I have met with the nurses many times to understand their continuing contract struggle and to support them in the negotiating process."

The union on June 13 authorized a two-day strike to begin Thursday, June 12, while talks continued over the weekend. The current contract expired Monday, June 9. The two sides differ over pay and staffing at the state's largest hospital and one of the state's largest employers.