Heywood Hospital Nurses Vote to Ratify New MNA Contract Aimed at Stabilizing RN Workforce and Improving Patient Care Conditions
GARDNER, Mass., Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Registered nurses at Heywood Hospital, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), voted on Thursday, February 22 to ratify a new MNA contract that will help nurses continue to provide high-quality care to community members through strong wage increases, the protection of RN benefits, and other key improvements.
- The new contract comes as Heywood Healthcare navigates bankruptcy proceedings and nurses advocate for professional respect and safe patient care amid the system's financial challenges.
- With the agreement, nurses are seeking to address a long-standing staffing crisis at Heywood Hospital created by years of stagnating wages and deteriorating benefits.
- "We will continue to hold Heywood Healthcare leadership accountable for providing excellent care to all community members in need."
- "Under this contract, nurses know they will receive competitive raises and that their benefits will be protected, which will positively impact morale," said Jess Downer, Heywood Hospital RN, and MNA Bargaining Committee member.