With tremendous community support, RNs at North Adams save pension

The MNA bargaining unit at North Adams Regional Hospital recently ratified a three-year contract. The settlement came after 10 months of negotiation and a great community campaign that included the posting of yard signs and billboards, as well as radio advertisements. The local newspaper covered the bargaining unit’s efforts throughout the 10-month period and it ran numerous letters to the editor, ads, articles and editorials. All this action created a tremendous amount of community support.

Ultimately the key issue for the nurses was their defined benefit pension plan. The hospital originally proposed to end the plan and replace it with a defined contribution plan. To the nurses— many of whom have worked their entire careers at NARH and counted on the benefit—ending the pension plan was unacceptable.

“We proposed increasing our contribution but management refused and insisted they couldn’t continue the plan,” said unit co-chair Mary McConnell. “Finally, at the last hour, we were able to come up with a plan that satisfied both sides.”

Under the ratified agreement NARH will continue the defined benefit pension plan for the next two years while the MNA works to set up a new pension plan under the provisions of the federal Taft Hartley Act. As the new plan is set up, the nurses will be able to transfer into the plan without losing any of their benefits. “We feel that this is a win/win situation. The hospital will make a generous contribution to our plan but will no longer have the liability,” said McConnell.

According to unit co-chair Carol Vivori, RN, it was a long but ultimately satisfying process.

“Although it took much longer than necessary, we feel we were able to secure an equitable contract. To the committee the deciding factor was the commitment of the membership,” said Vivori. “We have a long history of open negotiations and on the day of the settlement more than half of our members came to observe. The members also did a great job working with our community to build strong public support.”

The nurses were also able to fight off management proposals that would have threatened union security, allowed management to diminish health insurance benefits and required the increased use of unsafe mandatory overtime.

“None of this would have been possible without the support of the community,” said McConnell. “Because we live in this community we treat patients who are our friends and neighbors, and we truly understand the importance of the nurses of NARH to the health of the community. Now we are looking forward to continuing to deliver excellent care to the people of northern Berkshire County.”

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