The union representing approximately 1,200 nurses at Boston-based Tufts Medical Center said they seek a strike date that would have the greatest negative financial affect on the medical center, according to a Boston Business Journal report.
The remarks came via an internal union memo, in which the Massachusetts Nurses Association said they plan to schedule a walkout for a time that would be "most harmful to the hospital."
Nurses have been actively preparing for a one-day strike after contract negotiations with Tufts proved unsuccessful.
In the memo to nurses, which was obtained by the Boston Business Journal, the MNA asked workers to indicate when they were scheduled to work, according to the report.
"This particular time of year gets to be very heavy with vacations," Union Associate Director and Community Organizer Ryan Berard wrote in the memo. "Plus, on the cusp of the holiday, we need to determine the best dates that will be most harmful to the hospital (from an economic standpoint) otherwise the strike will be ineffective."
Tufts expressed disappointment in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.
"We are certainly disappointed by the MNA's tactics, but we remain committed to finding a solution. We will be at the bargaining table [June 26], ready to work hard and creatively to produce a contract that will meet the priority needs of our nurses within our $30 million budget," the statement reads.
Tufts and the MNA are slated to continue negotiations June 26 as a possible strike looms, with staffing, wages and retirement plan changes among the remaining key sticking points, according to the report.
MNA responded to the leaked memo in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.
"In terms of the internal email that was intended for members only, the MNA wants to reiterate that the very purpose of a strike is to put economic pressure on an uncompromising employer with the goal of having them improve their contract offer," it reads. "The nurses want management to agree to improve patient safety inside of the hospital, and they also want to see the overall contract offer enhanced."
The union has not yet set a strike date or issued the required 10-day strike notice.
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