Nearly 300 technical workers at SMDC Health System represented by the United Steelworkers, Local 9460, unanimously agreed Wednesday to let the USW negotiating committee authorize a strike, the union reported Thursday.
The final negotiating meeting is set for Sept. 18. If talks don't progress, there's a chance a strike could commence a few weeks later, said Kevin Nendick, president of the USW Local 9460. He described talks as "difficult."
"We are disappointed in this development, because we believe we are making progress at our bargaining sessions and are still actively negotiating this contract," Diane Davidson, senior vice president of human resources at SMDC, said in a written statement.
Members of the union work in radiology, surgery, behavioral health, pharmacy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Negotiations began April 16, and the contract expired June 30.
