GREENFIELD — In a last-ditch effort to mediate efforts, or at least show support for Greenfield nurses, a handful of city councilors will head to Springfield in an attempt to speak with Baystate Health’s CEO over the ongoing negotiations at its Greenfield affiliate.
But hospital officials indicate the councilors may not be welcome without a scheduled meeting.
With the nurses union slated to hold a one-day strike Feb. 28 — and the hospital announcing Monday a plan to lock out nurses for three days — City Council President Karen “Rudy” Renaud and other union supporters hope to prevent the strike, according to an announcement from the Massachusetts Nurses Association.
“It feels like we have to try everything to help out to the best that we can,” said City Councilor Sheila Gilmour. In addition to her Council duties, she is a spokeswoman for a teachers union at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Hospital spokeswoman Shelly Hazlett said Baystate Franklin administration heard about the decision by some of the councilors through the press.
“Should the councilors have an interest in their community hospital in Greenfield, we suggest they schedule a time to meet with Baystate Franklin leadership in Greenfield,” Hazlett said in a statement.
She added it’s the role of a federal mediator to communicate between the two parties.
Joining Gilmour and Renaud in Springfield at 3 p.m. will be Councilors Doug Mayor and Tim Dolan. Otis Wheeler may join the effort. Renaud, who also works for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said she is going in her role as council president.
“The reason we’re taking the trip is it tells Baystate corporate that we up here in Greenfield care about our nurses and our community hospital,” Renaud said.
These council members rallied in support of the nurses Saturday on the Greenfield Common, which is when, they said, they came up with the idea to head to Springfield to try to speak with hospital CEO Mark Keroack. They also have plans to go to the offices of trustee Ed Noonan.
“We, as councilors, should be holding Baystate accountable,” Renaud said. “They’re here and they don’t pay taxes. They’re a nonprofit. They get a nonprofit status because they’re supposed to be providing services to the community.”
The councilors are unclear, though, how successful they might be, given the hospital rejected the help of Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, when he offered to host negotiations as a means to prevent a strike.
“It’s our sincere hope that Baystate comes back to the table,” Renaud said. “Let’s let our congressman help mediate these discussions. You don’t get that offer every day.”
Renaud added she thought maybe because the councilors represent Greenfield specifically, hospital officials would listen to their thoughts.
“I would hope because we live here and this is our community,” Renaud said, “we would at least get listened to.” She said their goal is to help the nurses avoid a strike and get them a fair contract.
Hospital administration declined to comment on whether it will meet with the councilors. Baystate Franklin Medical Center Acting President Ron Bryant was not available for comment for this story.
Not all council members think this is a matter for the council.
“I don’t feel like it’s the council’s business to be involved in this,” Council Vice President Penny Ricketts said. “If councilors want to be involved with this, that’s fine, but I wouldn’t want to do it under the title of council.”
Renaud said the issue of the nurses and the hospital is not on the council meeting agenda for Wednesday night, but she does expect residents coming forward to speak out on the issues.
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Joshua Solomon at:
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