MNA bargaining committee chooses Dallas trip over in-person negotiations

Worcester, MA – July 3, 2021 – Saint Vincent Hospital is nationally recognized for the high-quality care we deliver, and any claim otherwise is false. Quality of care and patient safety are always a top priority at Saint Vincent Hospital. The hospital’s quality measurements – as assessed by national, independent, third-party quality organizations for multiple years – reveal that it is highly rated.

During the pandemic, Saint Vincent Hospital never ran out of PPE and utilized the same PPE conservation techniques endorsed by the CDC and successfully used across the country. The percentage of staff members infected by COVID was below the national average, which is evidence of our strong infection prevention practices and sufficient PPE supply.

Saint Vincent Hospital did not experience the COVID outbreaks that multiple other hospitals in Massachusetts did. In keeping with strict COVID guidelines, we requested that Saint Vincent’s MNA bargaining committee help enforce social distancing and masking at informal external MNA events and gatherings of their members, but these requests to keep their members safe outside of work were completely rejected by the bargaining committee leadership.

We also strongly object to the MNA’s mischaracterization of the facts and false allegations of noncompliance with any federal programs. The CARES Act has been vital in helping to partially offset the unprecedented strain on the healthcare system caused by the pandemic. The government support we received was used solely for the purpose of providing COVID relief in accordance with the terms and conditions of the support funding. Continuing to malign Tenet’s integrity and defame the organization to further an agenda not based in facts, is irresponsible to the St Vincent dedicated physicians, nurses and staff who have been so committed to the community.

Although we do not agree with many of the statements and characterizations in the recent letter from the Congressional members from Massachusetts, we will of course respond appropriately to the questions asked. The issues raised in this letter are not accurate in terms of our compliance with the terms of use of the CARES Act relief funds and we will provide answers to correct this misunderstanding.

In addition, we have an outstanding and nationally well-recognized record of quality and safety at Saint Vincent Hospital. Our nurse staffing is not only adequate, but it is better than 75 percent of comparable hospitals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. And finally, every nurse who went on furlough during the pandemic at Saint Vincent Hospital did so out of their own individual choice, and Tenet maintained their healthcare benefits throughout the furlough period.

We notified the Federal mediator on Friday, July 2, that we were ready to respond with our fourth attempt to present a workable offer utilizing parts of previous offers and points the MNA presented in their recent counteroffer.

We provided availability to meet in person, which the MNA has been requesting, on Monday, July 5; Tuesday July, 6; and Wednesday, July 7. The bargaining committee said they were not available to meet at any time on any of those days.

Instead of prioritizing an opportunity to negotiate in person, the MNA bargaining committee is focused on theatrics including supporting a faux exorcism in the hospital and a staged visit to Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, July 7. These actions, which do nothing to further the dialogue so important to ending the strike, demonstrate their lack of a serious commitment to truly resolving the strike and returning Saint Vincent to normal operations.

Their membership deserves better representation committed to dealing with facts, not dramatic and false rhetoric and stunts. Their membership deserves representation with a commitment to working towards a solution, and who prioritizes the opportunity to meet and resolve this situation.

Saint Vincent Hospital and its dedicated staff have been providing the critical care the Worcester community needs for more than 127 years. We are focused above all else on continuing this legacy.