In Great Barrington, town officials put out a statement yesterday, and at Monday's selectboard meeting, town health agent Rebecca Jurczyk briefed officials on measures the town is taking to prepare for the virus.
In a letter John Breasted writes: "The nurse staffing issues are complex. My own understanding of them has not been helped by soundbite-sized assertions about what the adoption of Question 1 would mean for patients."
When the workers tried to enter the hospital at 7 a.m. today, they were greeted by uniformed security guards and Arthur Milano, BHS’ vice president of human resources, who told them they "won't be returning today but we'll welcome you back on the 8th."
A spokesman for the Massachusetts Nurses Association said its members were pleased at the ruling and that they would be holding a Patient Safety Vigil on Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. before the 24-hour strike is slated proceed on Tuesday at 7 a.m., "unless BMC bargains in good faith and agrees to a fair contract."
The complaint questions the legality of the planned labor stoppage and seeks an injunction and damages to compensate the hospital for the cost of replacement nurses.
One BMC nurse said the situation has deteriorated to the point that many Berkshire County pediatricians are sending patients to Bay State Medical in Springfield out of frustration.
