Nurses at Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Medical Center have sought meetings with board members of Berkshire Health Systems, also in Pittsfield, amid their contract negotiations with BMC, reports The Berkshire Eagle.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents the workers, called on nurses earlier this week to visit BHS Board of Trustee member John Bissell, president and CEO of Greylock Federal Credit Union, at his Pittsfield workplace. The union said the visit "is part of an urgent effort by nurses to speak with all board members as nurses seek a fair contract that ensures safe patient care and provides quality, affordable health insurance."
However, Mr. Bissell was not available Wednesday when 10 MNA members showed up, according to the report, which also notes the union's acknowledgement that Mr. Bissell declined a separate previous meeting invitation. MNA members have also requested informal meetings with other BHS trustees.
A hospital spokesperson told The Berkshire Eagle in a statement board members are informed about negotiation developments and are committed to quality care at BMC.
"They remain informed on all significant developments ... including employment and labor relations matters," Michael Leary, a BHS spokesperson, said. "Not only are they regularly briefed by management on the status of negotiations, they have available to them the union's own publicity efforts."
"It is the policy and duty of the board, however, not to discuss employment or any other sensitive matters outside of the boardroom," Mr. Leary added.
Negotiations between the two sides are slated to resume Monday, according to the report.