#United States
#Massachusetts Nurses Association
#Mass General Brigham
#Northampton
#Cooley Dickinson
Community Unites to Support Cooley Dickinson Nurses at Upcoming Forum Amid Contract Dispute
On November 17, Cooley Dickinson Hospital nurses, under the representation of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), will hold a community forum aimed at addressing pressing issues concerning patient care and nurse working conditions. This forum, co-hosted by the Western Mass Area Labor Federation, is an essential opportunity for the public to learn more about the ongoing negotiations with Mass General Brigham (MGB), the hospital system's parent organization.
The event, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge located at 17 Spring Street in Northampton, will feature insights from registered nurses, local elected officials, and community leaders. The nurses plan to highlight the critical importance of safe staffing levels, competitive wages, and affordable health insurance, which are crucial for the welfare of both nurses and the patients they care for.
Recently, Cooley nurses made the decision to vote overwhelmingly in favor of a potential one-day strike after unsuccessful negotiations with MGB. This large hospital system, recognized as the largest and most financially robust in the state, has declined to invest meaningfully in nurse retention programs and initiatives that ensure patient safety. The nurses assert that their efforts extend beyond just their well-being; they aim to secure the future of Cooley Dickinson as a reliable and safe healthcare facility for the Northampton community and neighboring areas.
During the forum, attendees will have a chance to engage with the nurses, ask questions, and show their support. Nurses like Rosie Tottser emphasize that when the workload increases without corresponding support, the quality of patient care deteriorates. 'Our community relies on this hospital. Patients deserve the same level of care as those receiving treatment in other MGB facilities. We are asking for fairness and the resources to maintain nurse presence at patients' bedsides,' she stated.
Aaron Winston, another Cooley Dickinson RN and MNA Committee Co-Chair, added that the community’s involvement is crucial: 'This forum is a chance for our neighbors to hear directly from the nurses who care for them every day.' He lamented that the prioritization of profit over people by MGB adversely affects local healthcare facilities.
1. Safe RN Staffing: Nurses at Cooley often care for an overwhelming number of patients simultaneously, raising risks of errors and burnout. Establishing enforceable staffing standards in their contract could enhance both recruitment efforts and retention rates.
2. Competitive Wages: Cooley nurses currently earn significantly less than their peers at UMass Memorial and other MGB locations. The existing wage disparity has been a substantial factor in nurse turnover and may compromise patient care quality.
3. Affordable Health Insurance: MGB plans to alter Cooley's current health plans, potentially increasing costs and redefining full-time status, which would limit many nurses’ eligibility for coverage. The nurses are advocating for affordable benefits, contractually protected rights, and fair definitions of full-time employment.
Cooley Dickinson Hospital stands as a pivotal healthcare provider in the Pioneer Valley. When MGB fails to support the nurses at the frontline, the consequences surface through longer wait times, a high turnover rate among nurses, and restricted access to quality care. By backing the nurses in their campaign for a fair contract, community residents can contribute to protecting the future of their local hospital and ensure that Cooley Dickinson remains a vital space where both patients and nurses can flourish together.
MGB CEO Anne Klibanski reportedly received $8.4 million in compensation in FY2023, highlighting a significant raise of 40%, which included substantial bonuses. From 2018 to 2023, MGB executives accumulated a staggering $819 million in salaries with an additional $100 million in bonuses. Despite Cooley Dickinson reporting a profit of $9.7 million and MGB's net margin reportedly increasing by $2 billion, frontline nurses are bearing the brunt of budgetary cuts and personnel reductions. MGB's investment focus appears centered on expanding major facilities rather than on supporting essential care providers in Western Massachusetts.
The upcoming community forum is not just a meeting; it embodies a collective stand for improvements in healthcare. Join the nurses in advocating for patient safety and quality care at Cooley Dickinson, where the community's health is a shared priority.
The event, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge located at 17 Spring Street in Northampton, will feature insights from registered nurses, local elected officials, and community leaders. The nurses plan to highlight the critical importance of safe staffing levels, competitive wages, and affordable health insurance, which are crucial for the welfare of both nurses and the patients they care for.
Recently, Cooley nurses made the decision to vote overwhelmingly in favor of a potential one-day strike after unsuccessful negotiations with MGB. This large hospital system, recognized as the largest and most financially robust in the state, has declined to invest meaningfully in nurse retention programs and initiatives that ensure patient safety. The nurses assert that their efforts extend beyond just their well-being; they aim to secure the future of Cooley Dickinson as a reliable and safe healthcare facility for the Northampton community and neighboring areas.
During the forum, attendees will have a chance to engage with the nurses, ask questions, and show their support. Nurses like Rosie Tottser emphasize that when the workload increases without corresponding support, the quality of patient care deteriorates. 'Our community relies on this hospital. Patients deserve the same level of care as those receiving treatment in other MGB facilities. We are asking for fairness and the resources to maintain nurse presence at patients' bedsides,' she stated.
Aaron Winston, another Cooley Dickinson RN and MNA Committee Co-Chair, added that the community’s involvement is crucial: 'This forum is a chance for our neighbors to hear directly from the nurses who care for them every day.' He lamented that the prioritization of profit over people by MGB adversely affects local healthcare facilities.
What Cooley Nurses Are Advocating For
1. Safe RN Staffing: Nurses at Cooley often care for an overwhelming number of patients simultaneously, raising risks of errors and burnout. Establishing enforceable staffing standards in their contract could enhance both recruitment efforts and retention rates.
2. Competitive Wages: Cooley nurses currently earn significantly less than their peers at UMass Memorial and other MGB locations. The existing wage disparity has been a substantial factor in nurse turnover and may compromise patient care quality.
3. Affordable Health Insurance: MGB plans to alter Cooley's current health plans, potentially increasing costs and redefining full-time status, which would limit many nurses’ eligibility for coverage. The nurses are advocating for affordable benefits, contractually protected rights, and fair definitions of full-time employment.
Why Community Support is Essential
Cooley Dickinson Hospital stands as a pivotal healthcare provider in the Pioneer Valley. When MGB fails to support the nurses at the frontline, the consequences surface through longer wait times, a high turnover rate among nurses, and restricted access to quality care. By backing the nurses in their campaign for a fair contract, community residents can contribute to protecting the future of their local hospital and ensure that Cooley Dickinson remains a vital space where both patients and nurses can flourish together.
Context on MGB's Financial Standing
MGB CEO Anne Klibanski reportedly received $8.4 million in compensation in FY2023, highlighting a significant raise of 40%, which included substantial bonuses. From 2018 to 2023, MGB executives accumulated a staggering $819 million in salaries with an additional $100 million in bonuses. Despite Cooley Dickinson reporting a profit of $9.7 million and MGB's net margin reportedly increasing by $2 billion, frontline nurses are bearing the brunt of budgetary cuts and personnel reductions. MGB's investment focus appears centered on expanding major facilities rather than on supporting essential care providers in Western Massachusetts.
The upcoming community forum is not just a meeting; it embodies a collective stand for improvements in healthcare. Join the nurses in advocating for patient safety and quality care at Cooley Dickinson, where the community's health is a shared priority.
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