WORCESTER – Saint Vincent Hospital announced on Wednesday, May 12, it would fill 50 nursing positions, including all day shift positions scheduled for 32 hours or more per week in critical care and all but on inpatient med-surg unit.
“For the time being, the remaining nursing roles will continue to be provided by Saint Vincent nurses or temporary replacement nurses,” according to the statement.
The statement also said that once a permanent hire replaces a striking nurse’s position that nurse will not have the right to return to work immediately when the strike ends. Replaced nurses go to a “preferential hire list” and eligible to return as vacancies arise.
St. Vincent says this is in accordance with federal law.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association [MNA} said in a statement on Friday, May 7, that Tenet Healthcare, the parent company of St. Vincent Hospital, declined an MNA offer to meet that day.
The last time publicly announced that the two sides met was on Wednesday, May 5.
