For about 10 years, I volunteered as a therapeutic Celtic harper at the hospice in Greenfield. As I observed them caring thoughtfully and tirelessly for patient after patient, the Baystate Franklin Medical Center nursing staff earned my deep respect.
So I find it appalling that Baystate refuses to honor Baystate Franklin nurses’ perfectly reasonable requests for safe patient-staffing ratios, for their own healthcare and the other requests put forth through their union.
Baystate is a nonprofit. Just how much is it spending on union-busting lawyers and on temporary nurses in order to fight its own? Shouldn’t those many thousands of our health care dollars go to compensate its regular staff, and for patient care?
We’ve been through this before. It is unacceptable that, to seek fair working conditions, Baystate Frankin nurses must yet again plan to strike.
Please, Baystate, get back to the bargaining table now. Act in good faith. Valley life will be healthier if Baystate behaves like a responsible member of the Valley community.
Sarah McKee
Amherst