[herring_RN]

Aroostook nurses walk for contract

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — With the goal of raising public awareness about their work and contract negotiations, nurses from The Aroostook Medical Center on Monday evening were joined by colleagues from around the state as they walked to draw attention to their cause….

…"Our actions today do not in any way suggest that negotiations are not going amicably," she said Monday evening. "They have been. We just want to draw attention to this issue and raise awareness so that the public will see what we are trying to get done."…

…The nurses are asking for a professional practice committee run by bedside nurses to have "true input" regarding patient care and safety issues. They also are seeking language in their contract that will prevent The Aroostook Medical Center from implementing new technology that replaces nurses at the bedside….

http://bangornews.com/news/t/aroostook.aspx?articleid=165504&zoneid=175