Nurses File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Baystate

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Feb 24, 2012, 04:00 ET

CHARGES BAYSTATE ACTED ILLEGALLY IN ENDING NEGOTIATIONS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Nurses Association bargaining unit at Baystate Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. The nurses allege that Baystate illegally terminated negotiations and then implemented their last offer while the MNA was still in the process of contract negotiations.

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The nurses have been bargaining with the Baystate VNAH for the last -14 months. While the nurses compromised on several important issues, Baystate has refused to cooperate to reach an equitable solution.

At the last session Baystate gave the nurses one hour to accept what they termed their last, best and final offer. While the nurses rejected that offer they were intent on continuing the bargaining process – management, however, unlawfully declared that negotiations were at impasse. Baystate also informed the nurses that they were implementing the last offer. This means that Baystate has decided unilaterally negotiations are over and they will enforce the last offer with NO input from the nurses or their committee.

It is the nurses position that they were still in negotiations and that an agreement could be reached. The nurses contend that Baystate's decision to declare impasse and unilaterally implement their last offer is illegal.

The National Labor Relations Board will now begin the process of investigating the MNAs unfair labor practice charge.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association