There's no deal yet between unionized nurses and Vermont's largest medical center, but the two sides did make some progress in the first negotiation session since a two-day strike earlier this month.
In a Tuesday negotiating session, the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals and representatives of the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington reached tentative agreements on issues that help govern some scheduling issues and pay rates. Both sides say the first agreements are good steps.
The two sides did not reach an agreement on pay increases for the 1,800 nurses.
The union maintains higher wages are necessary to recruit and retain nurses and support staff and alleviate understaffing.
Additional bargaining sessions are planned for next month.
The nurses went on strike July 12 and 13.
