HJNO Jul/Aug 2026

This interview was conducted as nurses at University Medical Center New Orleans and LCMC Health were preparing to return to the bargaining table over a first contract. Heidi Tujague, RN, is an emergency department nurse at UMC and a member of the nurses’ bargaining team. Any tentative agreement would still require a ratification vote by eligible nonmanagerial nurses before taking effect. For accuracy and balance, Healthcare Journal of New Orleans contacted LCMC Health/UMC New Orleans for response to issues raised in this interview, including staffing, retention, wages, benefits, workplace violence prevention, emergency department delays, and the status of negotiations. LCMC/UMC’s response appears following the Q&A. From the ER to the Bargaining Table: A UMC Nurse on Why Nurses Are Striking HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JUL / AUG 2026 37