L&M votes strike if deal not made

New London (WTNH) - Lawrence & Memorial Hospital nurses have voted to strike if an agreement cannot be reached by 10:45 the night of November 16th when their three year contract is up, union officials say.

The main sticking point: sick time.

Nurses say the 12 days they get right now which can be carried over, if unused, could be cut to five under the latest proposal; and, any sick time after that would be paid at 60 percent under short term disability insurance.

"Would you want a sick nurse caring for your newborn baby?" asked Registered Nurse Erin Guertin.

Guertin said nurses would be forced to come to work sick because they can't afford to stay home. But the hospital says some take advantage of the system.

"There is a problem with a small number of employees with using sick time as vacation time," said Kelly Anthony of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

"Then deal with it in a different way. Instead of taking from everyone punish those who abuse it," Guertin said.

Before November 16th, when the contract is up and the strike could happen, there are still three more negotiating sessions and what both sides seem to agree upon is that there's time for compromise.

Never before has there been a strike at the hospital just some close calls. Will this be one?

"We're willing to do what's necessary to make the hospital succeed. We have a vested interest in that hospital doing well. We want to work in a great place," Union President Katharine Martin said.