Union, NARH Still At Odds Over Contract
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After three days of talks, negotiations ended at 6 p.m. Thursday without another session scheduled and without a contract. The last two-year contract ended Sept. 30.
The local chapter of Service Employees International Union voted overwhelmingly Monday to go out on strike effective Saturday, Dec. 12, after four bargaining sessions. The union, which covers 174 workers ranging from dietary to licensed practical nurses at North Adams Regional Hospital, say the 108 concessions demanded by the hospital would drastically cut benefits and eliminate regularly scheduled hours.
Health-care system officials say the union must compromise in light of NBH's staggering $8.1 million shortfall, twice that of last year's. Half the deficit was incurred in investment losses from the worldwide financial crisis that devastated endowments and funds of nonprofits of all sizes.
Both sides say there has been movement, with hospitals being "encouraged" after a seven-hour session Tuesday. In a statement Thursday, union spokesman Jeff Hall said the union has made a number of compromises and concessions.
"Nonetheless, hospital executives refused to continue negotiations despite the willingness of hospital employees to continue negotiations through the evening," he wrote. Union members are particularly concerned that NBH President Richard Palmisano has not attended negotiating meetings, instead using a consultant from the Weissman Group, a labor relations consulting firm in Dayton, Ohio.
According to SEIU, it's agreed to maintaining language that phases out sick-day buy backs for new hires, changes to retirement benefit contributions and wages, and forgoing overtime. It also made concessions Thursday related scheduling, wrote Hall.
In a statement, hospital officials said, "NARH must obtain union contracts that provide the means to operate efficiently and control costs. The SEIU's proposals do not adequately meet those critical goals."
The hospital is asking for the flexibility to staff according to patient as a way to contain costs; the union says that will essentially turn its members into "on call" workers.
"We are hopeful we can come to a resolution that is mutually agreeable, but are resolved to seek a contract that ensures stability for North Adams Regional Hospital," said hospital officials.
Meantime, administrators say the hospital is prepared to continue operating in the event of a strike (Weissman also offers strike contingency planning), including hiring replacement workers.
"We are willing to resolve the remaining issues at the bargaining table, and hope this can be accomplished," NBH officials stated in the press release.
