ST. LOUIS (KMOX)- Union nurses and SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital were back at the bargaining table Wednesday, but a deal failed to materialize for both sides.
Nurses with National Nurses United have been working without a contract since mid-June.
Before the meeting Wednesday, a Member of the bargaining team for nurses, Sarah DeWilde joined KMOX's Total Information AM to discuss negotiations.
DeWilde said before the meeting that the two sides have made some progress but says that nurses needed more assurances, especially when it comes to the safety of nurses.
"We want a safe place to work. Violence and aggression have been at an all time high in the hospital." DeWilde detailed alleged incidents of physical and verbal violence by patients against nurses that DeWilde happens every week.
"Couple of weeks ago, we had a patient on my floor, experiencing a psychiatric break," said DeWilde, "We (the nurses) were short-staffed. A lot of the nurses were travelers that didn't understand the policy and procedures as what to do in escalating patients breaks. My charge nurse took issues in her hands and tried to calm the patient, who was irate and upset. (The patient) took a heavy-duty stapler from the nurses station was running after (the nurse)."
"(The Nurse) hid in the locked medicine room and the patient was beating on the glass, threatening to kill her with the stapler."
Adequate staffing and salary are also top concerns for the union. DeWilde maintains if the hospital wanted to, it could find enough nurses to fill core staffing needs, and not use temporary nursing staff.
The union recently authorized a strike, if negotiations fail. Nurses would have to give ten days notice of any intent to strike. DeWilde adds however, that if they do strike, it would only be for a single day.
"I don't want to strike," says DeWilde, "I'm a part of the bargaining team and I don't even... the thought of it is scary, I think about the patients."
In a statement, SSM Health says it is taking measures to maintain safe staffing, and adds threats of a strike are "counterproductive". The statement provided to KMOX News also says,"Patient safety is our top priority, and our health ministry is well-prepared to remain open and care for our patients during any work stoppage event. If a strike is called, we will have comprehensive plans in place to ensure there is no disruption in care or service for the patients and community we are privileged to serve."
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