In today’s News and Commentary, healthcare workers rally to restore legal status for TPS holders, and nurses at a Maine hospital overwhelmingly vote to form their union despite alleged aggressive union busting tactics.

Yesterday, healthcare workers participated in a national day of action with the coalition “Healthcare Needs All of Us” to protest the Trump Administration’s de-documentation of healthcare workers. In New York City, workers rallied in support of restoring legal status for Temporary Protected Status holders. Joy Montague, a Licensed Practical Nurse, stated that since TPS “ended, facilities are understaffed with the remaining staff stretched to the limit. Some seniors . . . have had the only person who truly knew and loved them just disappear when their caregivers could no longer work. It’s heartbreaking and it’s wrong.” Workers in Rochester likewise pointed to the impact that the Trump Administration’s immigration policies have had on those that rely on care workers. In the Rochester area alone, numerous health care providers have closed or cut services in light of the policies.

Last night, nurses at Central Maine Medical Center voted to form their union, following the firing of 15 nurses and suspension of 5 nurses for patient advocacy. The union held an informal picket last week to protest the retaliation against nurses advocating for their patients, and will continue to push for reinstatement for the 20 disciplined workers and intend to file unfair labor practice charges. Central Maine Medical Center’s parent company, Prime Healthcare, claims the discipline was the result of code of conduct violations, but workers and politicians alike have criticized the hospital for engaging in illegal union busting tactics. According to the Maine AFL-CIO, Prime Healthcare has engaged in similar union busting at many of its other hospitals. Prime Healthcare, meanwhile, alleges that union organizers are distributing intimidating, inflammatory materials in residential neighborhoods. Governor Janet Mills has called on Prime Healthcare to reinstate the 20 nurses, writing that “[f]ailure to do so will make clear to Maine people that Prime Healthcare is prioritizing corporate interests over the commitments it made to the State of Maine to deliver the quality health care that Maine people expect and deserve.”