As reported by the Daily Hampshire Gazette, on Wednesday, June 25 2008.

The Registered Nurses at Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice will be picketing in front of the agency on Thursday, June 19 to highlight the lack of movement in their protracted negotiations.

In the midst of heated negotiations, the Baystate Franklin Medical Center registered nurses have filed an unfair labor practice charge after they felt their freedom of speech was violated by the hospital.

“Many of us don’t know how much longer we will be able to continue doing this work we love. We are incredibly underpaid compared to nurses who work in the hospital, and Management is seeking to have more control over our schedules, forcing us into additional coverage beyond our regular shifts. We have children, families, and bills and if we can make 30 percent more in the hospital setting, and have defined hours of work, we owe it to our families to give it serious consideration.”