AUSTIN, Texas — Ascension Seton nurses in Austin, Texas, are gearing up for another strike.

Hospital management was notified on Nov. 22 of their plans to stage a one-day strike on Dec. 6, in protest of what they say are unsafe working conditions, according to a news release from National Nurses United.

The release cited equipment and staffing issues as reasons for the strike saying, “At ASMCA, there is a lack of functional IV pumps, hospital gowns, blankets and thermometers, as well as persistent problems with hospital-issued phones that nurses use during their shift for communication. In Austin, at ASCMA, management is proposing that labor and delivery nurses with as little as 18 months of experience be assigned to ‘charge’ roles, which are typically given to experienced nurses in safely staffed hospitals as they are responsible for the smooth functioning of their units and act as resource nurses.” 

Ascension Seton has said that they are prepared to remain open. They note that “in order to fulfill our commitment to uninterrupted quality care for our patients, we have contracted with a staffing agency that specializes in work stoppage events and will provide us access to a full complement of highly skilled and credentialed registered nurses.”

This will be the second time Ascension nurses have decided to strike. This past summer, they went on strike over the same issue. 

The medical center has also said that they have “been bargaining in good faith with NNU to come to a mutually beneficial agreement on an initial contract that supports all, and we are committed to not canceling any scheduled bargaining dates. We believe that differences are best resolved respectfully at the bargaining table, and look forward to continuing to work together to reach agreement on a contract for our registered nurses.”

Spectrum News 1 on Nov. 24 received the following statement from Ascension Seton: 

“We are disappointed National Nurses United has made the decision to proceed with a strike, once again creating unnecessary uncertainty for our associates and their families, and concern for our patients and their loved ones.” They also added that “patient safety is our top priority, and Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin is well-prepared to remain open and care for our patients during this short-term strike.”