ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The sidewalk in front of Mission Hospital was packed with union nurses, their families, friends and community supporters Tuesday as they held an “informational picket” to share their concerns as the hospital and union continue work on a new contract.

A news release from National Nurses United said the rally was being held to “protest management’s refusal to address RNs’ deep concerns about safe staffing and patient care” — a claim Mission Health has continually refuted.

MISSION NURSES’ UNION TO HOLD ‘INFORMATIONAL’ RALLY

Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.

Drums, a saxophone, a clarinet and an accordion were among the instruments that accompanied chants of “HCA is a liar” while people honked their horns in support as they drove by.

“We are not fully staffed,” Mission nurse Elle Kruta, who is part of the negotiating team, said. “We want them to do a fair contract, give us the staffing that we need.”

BY THE NUMBERS: CLOSER LOOK AT MISSION NURSES’ NEGOTIATIONS

 

Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.

Mission Hospital and its unionized nurses have been at the bargaining table since April, trying to settle their differences. Their most recent contract, ratified in 2021, was the nurses’ first union contract and it expired July 2, 2024.

About 1,600 Mission nurses are represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United in the bargaining unit covered by the contract.

Kruta said two more bargaining sessions have been set — Aug. 27 and Sept. 9.

AS STRIKE LOOMS, WEBSITES SET UP TO HELP MISSION NURSES

Although union nurses have said a strike isn’t the goal, the community has been stepping up in case it comes to that.

A GoFundMe page to help Mission Hospital nurses who could hit the picket line if a new contract can’t be worked out has raised more than $10,000 since being set up last month.

“Oh my gosh, thank you so much for that. It has been such a huge relief for our nurses,” Kruta said. “It brings me to tears when I see the community support.”

MISSION HOSPITAL NURSE ACCUSES UNION OF FOSTERING FEAR

Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.
Mission Nurses United rallied outside Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 as bargaining for a new contract between the union and Mission Health continues.