Healthcare union decries demands

Union officials at North Adams Regional Hospital charged Friday that hospital management has presented employees with a list of 18 demands that, among other things, threaten retirement benefits, overtime pay and seniority status for the number of years worked at the hospital.

[Adams Resident]

Northern Berkshire Health Systems is overburdened with a management team that drains the revenue that should be used for staffing and patient care. Diane Cutillo was hired just before it was announced that the finances of NBHS were in danger.
I applaud Barb Ziemba for having the courage to speak out openly bout what is going on.
I know people in both unions, the SEIU and MNA, at NARH who are dismayed that Rick Palmisano seems to be trying to bust the unions.
The people of Northern Berkshire County and Southern Vermont need to write or call the management of NARH and let them know they support the people who provide the medical care the receive.

[only in MA]

sounds like the fat cats that are running another health care facility into the ground feel they are beyond reproach. they keep forgetting it is the people that actually do deliver the service are the important ones.

[Trashman]

I used to think NARH should be closed and the care there was subpar.

I was wrong. Big time. The care staff is dedicated and take care of people like you were part of their own family.

The hospital is top heavy with management, and apparently, they're blinded by this thing called greed.

Very sad.

[Ex Mill Rat Boss]

Unions are the kiss of death to any business.

[tom]

Typical union, These guys have the same brains as GM workers.

[Litlux]

With the NARH management and union so focused on administrative, expansion and such, the care that is actually being delivered is causing concern.

The emergency room is not the place to go in an emergency, for starters. Especially at night or on weekends.

When is NARH going to be a top quality health care facility instead of a half assed operation?

[anywho]

Ex Mill Rat Boss wrote:

Unions are the kiss of death to any business.

Enjoy your weekend...Brought to you by the "kiss of death"

[Jumpin Jack Flash]

Ex Mill Rat Boss wrote:

Unions are the kiss of death to any business.

I have worked at the hospital for over 20 years. This is the 5th administration I have worked under. Yes,I said, 5th administration. Do the math !
In the past, the unions were able to sit at the table, with management, and work out their problems in a congenial & respectful manner. This administration is a whole different breed. TOXIC ! NARH is now under a dictatorship. The union is needed more than ever - for protection of it's members.
All you union basher seem to think that we make the same amount of money that GM made. You are so wrong ! SEIU has willingly not received raises because the hospital was in financial trouble. How quickly they (management) forget. SEIU does not represent the higher end salary makers. They represent the "regular Joe" that is trying to make ends meet and just get by. Yes, it's the little guys
that management is trying to crush.
It's ignorant " ex-bosses" like you that give any workplace a black eye. With your mentality - maybe you should apply for a management position at NARH. You're their kind of guy !

[Just Looking There]

Did Jumpin Jack Flash just have a colonoscopy?...lol, only sounds like the receiving end?

[easy rider]

we will all be going to bmc pretty soon hope nobody has a heart attack because there will not be enough ambulances to get us there.

[In it to WIN it]

Adams Resident wrote:

Northern Berkshire Health Systems is overburdened with a management team that drains the revenue that should be used for staffing and patient care. Diane Cutillo was hired just before it was announced that the finances of NBHS were in danger.
I applaud Barb Ziemba for having the courage to speak out openly bout what is going on.
I know people in both unions, the SEIU and MNA, at NARH who are dismayed that Rick Palmisano seems to be trying to bust the unions.
The people of Northern Berkshire County and Southern Vermont need to write or call the management of NARH and let them know they support the people who provide the medical care the receive.

AMEN!

[Sweetey]

Adams Resident wrote:

Northern Berkshire Health Systems is overburdened with a management team that drains the revenue that should be used for staffing and patient care. Diane Cutillo was hired just before it was announced that the finances of NBHS were in danger.
I applaud Barb Ziemba for having the courage to speak out openly bout what is going on.
I know people in both unions, the SEIU and MNA, at NARH who are dismayed that Rick Palmisano seems to be trying to bust the unions.
The people of Northern Berkshire County and Southern Vermont need to write or call the management of NARH and let them know they support the people who provide the medical care the receive.

What are they worried about? President Obama has their back and he will fix everything.

[endthefed]

www.youtube.com/watch...

[50 years old]

Something about turning 50 makes you step back and wonder, who fought for a living wage, health insurance for employees, 8 hour work day, time in a half for long days, safety in the works site, posted schedules, job descriptions that you can live with, sick days,
etc... I doubt that the well payed CEO's and their 7 vice presidents woke up one day at NARH and said lets give our employees this. Actually they woke up one day and said days ago. Lets take this away from our employees.

[had it]

50 years old wrote:

Something about turning 50 makes you step back and wonder, who fought for a living wage, health insurance for employees, 8 hour work day, time in a half for long days, safety in the works site, posted schedules, job descriptions that you can live with, sick days,
etc... I doubt that the well payed CEO's and their 7 vice presidents woke up one day at NARH and said lets give our employees this. Actually they woke up one day and said days ago. Lets take this away from our employees.

how true that is

[In it to WIN it]

50 years old wrote:

Something about turning 50 makes you step back and wonder, who fought for a living wage, health insurance for employees, 8 hour work day, time in a half for long days, safety in the works site, posted schedules, job descriptions that you can live with, sick days,
etc... I doubt that the well payed CEO's and their 7 vice presidents woke up one day at NARH and said lets give our employees this. Actually they woke up one day and said days ago. Lets take this away from our employees.

Thank you for this "50 years old"! It is a fact, even for all of you anti-union big mouths out there, we are all enjoying the benefits of hard fought Unions from yesteryear! Amenities such as 40 hour work weeks, overtime, paid holidays, vacations and many more are everyone's to enjoy, union or not, because of the brave and determined men and women who took a stand against unfair hours, poor working conditins, attaining health benefits, paid vacations and days off that we have all come to expect as the "Norm".

Sadly, many businesses are now using our poor enconomy and inflated unemplyment rise to inject "take aways" into their workplaces. They are hoping to get away with anything and everything they want to for the sake of people keeping their jobs. We are taking a stand as our fore Union s did to maintain what is right and acceptable not only for us as the workers, but also for OUR patients that we are ALL here for!

[endthefed]

In it to WIN it wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you for this "50 years old"! It is a fact, even for all of you anti-union big mouths out there, we are all enjoying the benefits of hard fought Unions from yesteryear! Amenities such as 40 hour work weeks, overtime, paid holidays, vacations and many more are everyone's to enjoy, union or not, because of the brave and determined men and women who took a stand against unfair hours, poor working conditins, attaining health benefits, paid vacations and days off that we have all come to expect as the "Norm".

Sadly, many businesses are now using our poor enconomy and inflated unemplyment rise to inject "take aways" into their workplaces. They are hoping to get away with anything and everything they want to for the sake of people keeping their jobs. We are taking a stand as our fore Union s did to maintain what is right and acceptable not only for us as the workers, but also for OUR patients that we are ALL here for!

no!!!! It`s the bilderberg group ushering in thr new world order... soon we will have hyperinflation.. when this happens let play dump and run around like sheep..... they think it is funny... please wake up and watch Glen Beck on fox at 5:00 please... when you need more listen to Ron Paul.....

[HellerCarbonCapN]

Unions are the root of evil!

[50years]

HellerCarbonCapN wrote:

Unions are the root of evil!

you have to been kidding? You want to work with toxic chemicals, 12 hour days, no paid Holidays, no set schedules. If you do not enjoy those hard fought union battles. Then no wonder you are so angry. I like having those safe working conditions and most people would to.

[CURLY1]

50years wrote:

<quoted text> you have to been kidding? You want to work with toxic chemicals, 12 hour days, no paid Holidays, no set schedules. If you do not enjoy those hard fought union battles. Then no wonder you are so angry. I like having those safe working conditions and most people would to.

and we all know that you wouldnt have those safe conditions if employers were left to their own to do it. The selfishness and greed prevent them from spending money that does not benefit them directly!