Tufts nurses to picket Nov. 2 after unsuccessful post-strike negotiations

The union representing 1,200 nurses at Boston-based Tufts Medical Center notified the hospital it will hold a informational picket from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 2.

The notification, from the Massachusetts Nurses Association, comes as both sides have been unable to reach a contract agreement months after nurses went on strike in July.

A total of nine negotiating sessions have taken place since the strike. But staffing, pay and pension benefits — which were among issues leading to the strike — remain key sticking points, union officials said via news release.

"The informational picket aims to draw the public's attention back to the nurses' fight for a fair contract, as well as to put pressure on management to reach a fair settlement as soon as possible," they added.

In response to the picket plans, Tufts indicated progress in negotiations.

"The medical center has made numerous enhancements to our proposals since the strike and together we have been making progress toward an agreement," Tufts spokesperson Rhonda Mann told Becker's Hospital Review via email. "It is unfortunate that the MNA wishes to continue this conflict by issuing a picket notice. We requested a return to the table today [Friday] and were denied; however we reached agreement to add an additional session on Monday. We will continue to bargain in good faith to create a fair contract for our nurses and the medical center."

The MNA and Tufts have been in negotiations since April 2016.

 

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