7 ways Bernie Sanders blasted UVM Medical Center at nurses' union news conference

[Uncle Joe]

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took direct aim at leaders of University of Vermont Medical Center on Friday, complaining hospital executives are reaping huge pay gains while nurses' pay is wholly inadequate.

(snip)

Vacancies
“We have a significant nursing crisis at the region’s largest hospital,” Sanders said. He noted there are 170 vacancies for nurses and other health-care professionals represented by the union. “170 vacancies at this hospital,” he repeated for emphasis.

Pay
Vermont ranks 47th in the nation in terms of nurses’ wages adjusted for the cost of living, Sanders said. “This is not a complicated topic. If the medical center doesn’t pay competitive wages for the vitally important work nurses do, we will continue to see high vacancy rates and high turnover rates.”

Traveling nurses
“The medical center is forced to employ at great expense hundreds of travel nurses for 13-week stints to help keep the hospital running,” Sanders said.

(snip)

https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2018/07/06/bernie-sanders-nurse-pay-strike-university-vermont-medical-center-burlington/763910002/

[Sophia4]

1. America today ---

Bernie said:

“I find it hard to believe that the hospital has enough money to pay nearly $11 million to 15 administrators, including more than $2 million to the CEO, but apparently doesn’t have enough money to pay their nurses the same wages nurses earn across the lake in Plattsburgh,” where the cost of living is lower, Sanders said.

If UVM Medical Center is willing to pay to attract “the best and the brightest” to manage the hospital, “well, how about paying competitive wages to attract the best and the brightest nurses to care for patients?”


https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2018/07/06/bernie-sanders-nurse-pay-strike-university-vermont-medical-center-burlington/763910002

In our universities, the administrators are also overpaid when compared to the pay for professors, especially adjunct professors, and other staff.

And corporations often overpay the CEO and underpay pretty much everyone else.

This is a national problem. I'm glad Bernie is pointing it out in Vermont's hospital.

[Uncle Joe]

2. As am I Sophia

[appalachiablue]

3. K & R. The undervalued, undercompensated vital work of nurses is a disgrace.

Thanks for the post.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I couldn't agree more appalachiablue

Thank you