Vivid News Wave

Newton-Wellesley nurses authorize walkout as contract negotiations drag on

By Matthew Medsger

Newton-Wellesley nurses authorize walkout as contract negotiations drag on

Hundreds of nurses employed at Newton-Wellesley Hospital say they will strike if their fight for a fair contract continues to deadlock.

The about 1,500 registered members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association treating patients at the hospital voted near unanimously to approve a potential one-day walkout -- the tally was apparently 99% "yes" -- and Nora Watts, a nurse who Co-Chairs the MNA Bargaining Committee, said that "this powerful show of unity" shows that the nursing staff's concerns cannot be brushed aside easily.

"We are prepared to hold a one-day strike if necessary to stand strong against Mass General Brigham's attempt to improve its profits on the backs of nurses," she said in a statement.

According to a statement from Mass General Brigham, which operates the hospital, the company has been meeting with union representatives for months, and negotiations on a new contract are still ongoing.

"We have been negotiating with the union since March of this year and have participated in 15 sessions with the Massachusetts Nursing Association to date. Progress has been made on important topics and we have presented a fair, equitable proposal. Our focus remains on supporting our nurses while providing high-quality, safe care for our patients," the company said through a spokesperson.

The company also says they are ready for a walkout, if it comes to that.

"If a strike takes place, we are positioned to continue to provide the care our patients expect," they said.

According to the union, Mass General Brigham is attempting to make the nurses pay more for health insurance the company both provides and owns, and they're "fighting back against MGB's attempt to worsen their health care access through negotiations for a new MNA contract that properly values their contributions."

The vote does not mean that a strike will "automatically take place" but one could be scheduled, with 10-days notice given, if the threat of walkout isn't enough to incline the hospital's negotiators toward concessions.

"Mass General Brigham has the resources to ensure Newton-Wellesley nurses can affordably access healthcare. We call on MGB to agree to a fair contract that allows us to continue to provide high-quality patient care," Bargaining Committee Co-Chair Kathy Reda said.

Previous articleNext article

POPULAR CATEGORY

corporate

7084

tech

8108

entertainment

8728

research

3908

misc

9137

wellness

6939

athletics

9124