As the Nov. 9 deadline approaches for Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge to reach an agreement on two contracts for most of its employees , the union representing the employees is planning a rally outside the hospital on city property from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.
A representative for Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge said that is the union’s right and that patient care will not be interrupted and this is not an employee strike.
Two contracts were set to expire on Oct. 10, the day when representatives for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 205 and the hospital announced that contract talks – which began Aug. 15 – would be extended to Nov. 9. On that day, union representative Brad Rayson indicated many issues need to be resolved, including staffing, pay, health insurance and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
One contract is for the registered nurses and the other is for the service and tech employees. Doctors are not covered by the union.