Tufts Medical Center is condemning the MNA/NNU for the manner in which it conducted a recent strike vote for the center’s nurses. Tufts claims the union refuses to release the vote count which the union claims showed “overwhelming” support for a strike. Nurses also report significant voter intimidation and irregularities in how the vote was conducted. Nurses report the union forced them to mark their ballots while members of the bargaining committee watched. Others who expressed the desire not to strike feel their vote was treated differently, including being told to place their ballot in an envelope with their name on it. The union also lied when it told nurses they were only authorizing a one day strike; Tufts has made it clear that for the sake of continuity of care any strike will bring in replacement nurses for a minimum of five days. Strike happy NNU has threaten or led fourteen strikes in the past year over “safe staffing ratios” that directly translate into more union members and greater dues revenue.
