North Adams Nurses Reject Request to Reopen Contract
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire Healthcare has approached the registered nurses at North Adams Regional Hospital to reopen their contract to negotiate changes in an effort to save $465,000 health-care officials say is necessary to avoid layoffs.The nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association voted on Jan. 2 to reject the request, citing the late date on which the hospital provided them a proposal.
The health-care system has been struggling for several years to overcome financial losses. While its bond rating was boosted earlier this year and it ended 2007 barely in the black, officials say the financial crisis and decreasing revenues are putting in a bind.
The last two years, the hospital has been dependent upon a $4 million grant given to community health providers; applications for that grant were due in mid-December. The health-care system is also trying to cut costs by divesting itself of Sweetwood Retirement Care Community.
It recently purchased the former Northern Berkshire Family Practice with hopes of expanding the number of general practitioners in the area through federal grants.
NBH is trying to cut $4.5 million from its budget.
Below are the statements from both the MNA and NBH in full. They have been edited only for style, spelling and grammar.
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