'Best' contract offer not good enough for Berkshire Medical Center nurses

Nurses at Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Medical Center overwhelmingly voted down the "best and final" contract offer from the hospital Wednesday, reports The Berkshire Eagle.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents the workers, has been negotiating with the hospital since last September, with more than 20 bargaining sessions.

Berkshire Medical Center expressed disappointment in the vote in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.

"We feel very strongly that we have offered a fair contract that includes many components that have been recommended by the MNA itself. We have bargained in good faith. We thank our nurses for taking this to a ratification vote, but we are of course unhappy with the outcome," the hospital said.

The MNA did not immediately respond to an email request seeking comment.

Key sticking points in negotiations include wages and nurse-to-patient ratios, according to the report.

 

 

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