GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) — More than 200 nurses at a Greenfield hospital are scheduled to conduct a 24-hour strike to protest a breakdown in contract negotiations.
The 209 nurses of Baystate Franklin Medical Center will conduct a one-day strike starting at 7 a.m. Friday.
Nurses called the strike in response to what they call Baystate Health System's "unfair labor practices" and demands for "unreasonable concessions" from nurses.
The nurses' union and hospital administrators disagree on proposed changes to overtime rules and the use of sick time.
Donna Stern, RN and co-chair of the bargaining committee, says the hospital's proposals would compromise patient care.
Hospital management says it has made offers, but the nurses have made no counter-offers.
The hospital says it has made contingency plans to ensure patient care during the strike.
