Nurses and administrators at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital in Boston will try once again to reach a contract agreement, according to a Boston Business Journal report.
The nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, are scheduled to resume talks with hospital administrators Aug. 8.
Both sides last met July 26 to discuss a contract, which expired March 31, according to the report. That was just days after nurses picketed outside Brigham Faulkner, which is owned by Boston-based Partners HealthCare.
Nurses said there has been some progress in negotiations, with the hospital agreeing to implement security upgrades and withdrawing a proposal that would have forced all new nurses into a new health insurance plan, the Boston Business Journal reports, However, wages and staffing remain sticking points.
Still, Brigham Faulkner was optimistic about the upcoming bargaining session.
"We remain confident that the hospital can reach a fair and reasonable contract with the MNA," the hospital said in an emailed statement to the Boston Business Journal. "We felt that our session with the MNA earlier this week was a productive discussion. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Aug. 8 and we are hopeful that additional progress can be made at that time."