(Host) Governor Howard Dean is throwing his support behind an effort by the nurses at Fletcher Allen Hospital, the state’s largest medical facility, to form a union next month. The union drive is being strongly opposed by the administration at Fletcher Allen.
Dean, who is former doctor, says he believes the formation of a union will help deal with chronic understaffing problems and nurse retention rates at Fletcher Allen:
(Dean) “This is not unique to Vermont but the truth is, when staffing conditions and so forth get better, then retention problems also improve. So I just see this as another irritant between Fletcher Allen and the community and it seems to me this is a good time to resolve that.”
(Host) The nurses supporting the union say they’re confident they’ll win the upcoming vote, scheduled to take place in about two weeks.