(LEWISTON, MAINE) - Registered Nurses (RNs) employed at the Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) in Lewiston have voted overwhelmingly to join the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC), an Affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), the largest and fastest-growing RN Union in the Nation.

Nurses voted 91% yes (204-to-21, not including Nurses who were suspended or terminated for patient advocacy) to form a Union.

“We are beyond thrilled to win our Union election. Prime Healthcare thought they could silence us,” said RN Aaron McDaniel, who works in the Intensive Care Unit. “But now we are Members of National Nurses Organizing Committee and we will use our voices to speak up loudly for our patients. We’re so proud to join NNOC because we know we will win a contract that will make a drastic difference for our patients and for us as Nurses to build a healthier community.”

CMMC Nurses recently held an informational picket to protest their employer’s retaliation against Nurses who were speaking up and fighting for their patients.

Despite these retaliatory tactics from Prime Healthcare, the Hospital’s owner, Nurses demonstrated their unity and solidarity that resulted in this Union win.

Nurses at the 250-bed facility say they voted to join the Union because it is critical Nurses have a say in making decisions that affect patient care, working conditions, staffing, and recruitment and retention of experienced Nurses.

With their election victory, the Nurses will continue to demand the reinstatement of 20 illegally disciplined Co-Workers (15 fired and five suspended) and, moving forward, good faith bargaining on a first Union contract.

The Nurses will now begin to select their Nurse Bargaining Team Members in order to begin negotiations on their first Collective Bargaining Agreement with Prime Healthcare.

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Maine State Nurses Association-Provided Photo.