Beverly Hospital Picket Planned Amid Stalled Nurses Contract Talks

UPDATED 11:30 a.m.

BEVERLY, MA — Nurses at Beverly Hospital and Addison Gilbert Hospital are planning what the Massachusetts Nurses Association is calling an "informational picket" on Wednesday at Beverly Hospital amid stalled contract talks with Northeast Hospital Corporation.

The MNA said the nurses are demanding the assurance of adequate staffing levels, competitive wages, and maintenance of existing health insurance plans.

More than 750 registered nurses working at the hospitals are unionized through the MNA.

The picket is planned for 4 to 6 p.m. at 85 Herrick Street.

"We're completely united for a fair contract," said Larn Beard, RN and co-chairperson of the MNA union at NEHC, "one that guarantees our units are safely staffed and our patients receive the quality care they deserve."

The MNA said the seven negotiation sessions thus far have provided little movement from management on the nurses' key concerns.

"We continue to bargain in good faith with the MNA to reach a new agreement benefiting nurses at Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals," hospital spokesperson Sonya Vartabedian told Patch on Tuesday morning. "During negotiations, we have focused on proposals that include market-competitive wages and benefits, as well as a commitment to maintain staffing levels in support of delivering high-quality, community care.

"We hope to reach an agreement with the MNA soon on a new contract."

The MNA said nurses in the system routinely leave for better-paying positions elsewhere, leading to lean staffing levels that could jeopardize the quality of patient care.

"Under current conditions, nurse staffing levels will remain unpredictable and dangerous unless management addresses the above concerns during these contract talks," the MNA said in a statement.

"We return to the bargaining table on April 1," said RN and bargaining co-chairperson Sue Hall. "And we expect the solidarity on display at this informational picket will move the needle in these contract talks."