(Host) There’s a contract dispute at a western Massachusetts hospital that also serves parts of southern Vermont.
Unionized service workers at North Adams Regional Hospital have voted to strike if they don’t have a contract agreement by Saturday.
Talks broke down last week. The Service Employees International Union represents respiratory therapists, licensed practical nurses, surgical and medical technicians and housekeeping staff.
Mike O’Brien is the union’s local president. He says the union agreed to cuts in scheduled pay raises and in overtime pay.
(O’Brien) "We know that the hospital is in financial trouble, so we know that we’re going to have to do something to try and help them. We gave them a package of proposals that we said were really – there wasn’t much room that we can go anymore, and they got up and walked out."
(Keese) The hospital faces a $4 million operating deficit and another $4 million in investment losses.
Part of the disagreement is over whether the hospital can send workers home without pay when the number of patients drops.
Officials say in a statement that the hospital is squeezed by the economy, an aging population and low reimbursement from the government. Spokesman Paul Hopkins.
(Hopkins) "And this reality makes it even more critical that our union contracts give us the flexibility to respond to census changes in a prompt economic manner."
(Host) The statement says the hospital is hoping for a resolution, but needs a contract that allows it to control costs.