Nurses and other unionized workers at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe have submitted a formal 10-day notice of their intent to go on strike.
Representatives of District 1199NM of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees filed their notice, which is required by law if there is to be a strike, on Monday.
Union and hospital officials have been in contract negotiations since April over the terms of a new contract. A major sticking point that has led to the impasse revolves around staffing levels at the hospital.
The existing contract expires on June 30. Members of the union recently voted to authorize their negotiating team to serve notice of a strike.
Christus St. Vincent officials have said they are prepared to bring in replacement nurses to staff Santa Fe’s only major hospital should a strike take place.
-- Email the reporter at vkong@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-992-6263
