Berkshire Medical Center nurses authorized their union to give the hospital a 10-day strike notice Wednesday night amid a contract impasse.
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield gave Massachusetts Nurses Association members its “best and final” offer for a new contract in May, which was overwhelmingly turned down.
After two months of negotiations, BMC nurses have authorized an MNA committee to issue a 10-day strike notice.
"We are naturally disappointed that the MNA has taken this action, but the results are not surprising given the union’s record across Massachusetts in taking hospitals out on strike to support their statewide political agenda," Berkshire Health Systems spokesperson Michael Leary says. "In the event of a strike, Berkshire Medical Center is fully prepared to provide all services, procedures and programs, uninterrupted. We have two additional sessions with the MNA currently scheduled and are hopeful that they will result in a final contract."
The two groups will continue negotiations on Aug. 1st and 7th.
The union seeks a limit on the number of patients nurses care for, security improvements, and health insurance guarantees.
The hospital’s Executive Committee sent a letter to hospital staff on July 13th asking MNA members to stay on the job.
BMC has said nurses will not be reinstated for an extra four days after the strike to cover shifts with replacements. Nurses fear their health insurance benefits will stop during that time as well.
Nurses have filed a complaint about the letter with the National Labor Relations Board.
