HealthAlliance nurses authorize strike
Nurses at HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster on Wednesday voted “overwhelmingly” to authorize a one-day strike, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), the union representing the nurses.
The nurses authorized the strike in protest of what they say is the hospital’s failure to improve nurse staffing levels after more than a year of contract negotiations.
The strike authorization does not necessarily mean that a strike will be held, but it gives the union negotiating committee the authority to schedule a one-day strike if they feel it is necessary.
“None of us want to go on strike,” said Natalie M. Pereira, chairwoman of the MNA bargaining unit at the hospital. “But after spending countless hours with management discussing these urgent issues related to patient safety, it has become apparent that our concerns are not being heard. For the health and safety of our patients, we needed to take this next step.”
If the committee authorizes a strike, it is required to give the hospital 10 days’ notice.
The MNA has proposed limiting the number of patients assigned to a nurse at HealthAlliance to four, down from the current limit of six. So far, the parties have failed to reach accord. The nurses say they’ve met with management 17 times since May 2014, and have held two informational pickets during that time.
Today, the hospital said in a statement: “HealthAlliance remains committed to reaching a fair and equitable settlement with the Leominster MNA during our next session scheduled for June 29th. Although this step of taking a strike vote is not unusual during collective bargaining, we hope to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that balances the needs of our community and our patients while acknowledging the critical role our nurses play in caring for our patients. We maintain that addressing issues collaboratively and partnering with each other in the symbiotic relationship of hospital and nurse is the best path forward.
"Should a strike be called, the excellent quality of care that patients have come to expect from HealthAlliance Hospital will continue without interruption, as we have begun extensive preparations."
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