Unionized nurses are renewing calls for patient care improvements at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts as a contract standoff continues into its 16th month.
Nurses held a one-day strike in October to picket for what the Massachusetts Nurses Association calls “safe patient care improvements.”
The hospital contends it made its “best and final” contract offer in May.
Nurses delivered a petition Monday to the office of BMC board trustee Jerome Anderson at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. It said trustees have an obligation to listen to the MNA’s concerns and to intervene in the contract impasse. All of the other trustees will receive the petition by mail.
BMC says trustees are up-to-date on the negotiations, and aren’t at liberty to discuss employment in detail.
"The volunteer members of the Berkshire Health Systems Board of Trustees work hard to fulfill their stewardship responsibilities in assuring that this key community healthcare provider stays strong and effective, especially in this challenging healthcare climate. They remain currently informed on all significant developments affecting the Health Systems, including employment and labor relations matters. Not only are they regularly briefed by management on the status of negotiations, they have available to them the union’s own publicity efforts," BMC Spokesperson Michael Leary says. "It is the policy and duty of the board, however, not to discuss employment or any other sensitive matters outside of the board room."
The next contract negotiation session with a federal moderator is Tuesday.
