Brockton Nurses Strike Support Grows, CEO Intransigent

What the Community Can Do To Support the Brockton Hospital Nurses

[The following “public edition” of the Brockton nurses strike bulletin No. 4 was posted on the Internet May 30, 2001. The Brockton nurses are part of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), which recently joined with nurses in California, Pennsylvania, Maine, and Missouri to take steps toward founding a new national organization. See the accompanying May 23 press release, “Nurses Chart Course for New National Organization; Leaders of 60,000 RNs Adopt Principles, Goals for New Group.”]

The Brockton Hospital nurses are very grateful for all the tremendous support and encouragement we have received from the community, not only in Brockton, but from the general public throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and from throughout the nation. It is clear that the public understands that the issues we are fighting for — safe patient care and safe working conditions — are their issues as well. The nurses are seeking a commitment by this hospital to hire and retain the staff needed to take care of patients safely, without forcing nurses to work overtime when they are too fatigued or ill to provide safe nursing care.

Many have asked what they can do to support the nurses. Here are some suggestions:

• Call, fax, or e-mail Brockton Hospital CEO Norman Goodman. Tell him you support the nurses and their stand in these contract negotiations. Tell him to get back to the table and settle this contract NOW. Phone 508-941-7002; fax 508-941-6100; e-mail info@brocktonhospital.com.

• Call, fax Brockton Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Fred C. Petti. He has refused to meet with the nurses to discuss their concerns. Tell him you support the nurses and their stand in these negotiations and urge him to allow a settlement of this contract. Phone 508-565-1040; fax 508-565-1500; e-mail fcp@stonehill.edu.

•  Join the nurses on the picket line. Call the Brockton nurses strike office at 508-427-5833 to find out where and when you are most needed. If possible, organize groups of friends and colleagues to picket in large numbers.

• Donate (and make checks payable) to the Brockton Hospital Nurses Strike Fund; mail them to Brockton Hospital Nurses Strike Office, 707a Centre St., Brockton, MA 02302.

• Tie a green ribbon around the old oak tree. People are wearing green ribbons (the color of Brockton Hospital) and/or tying green ribbons around car antennas, trees, and poles outside their homes and businesses in support of the Brockton Hospital Nurses.

• Organize an event or activity to draw attention to the nurses’ plight. Groups are encouraged to organize events, demonstrations, and other activities to support the nurses. However, call the strike office to find out what else is being planned to ensure your event does not conflict with other activities.

• Bring food and beverages to the nurses on the strike line.

• Picket for the nurses on Wednesday nights while they attend their weekly strike meeting.

Brockton Strike Headquarters:
Across from Brockton Hospital
707A Center Street, Brockton
Phone:  508-427-5833
Fax:      508-427-5821

Directions to Brockton Hospital:
<http://www.brocktonhospital.com/map.html>

Messages of support may be sent to the nurses of Brockton Hospital c/o mna@mnarn.org.

Send Your OutRage to Brockton Hospital CEO Norman Goodman: (508) 941-7002 or e-mail him at info@BrocktonHospital.org

Editor’s Note: For the most thorough background and current information on the Brockton Hospital nurses strike, go to the web site of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Check out the new action photo page, with pictures of picket activities, rain and all.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Mr. Norman Goodman
CEO, Brockton Hospital
Brockton, MA

Dear Mr. Goodman,

I am writing this to tell you that I support the Brockton Hospital nurses in their fight to get the hospital to agree to hire and retain enough nurses for a safe level of staffing. The RNs and LPNs should not be forced to work overtime when they might be too tired or ill to deliver a safe level of patient care. Please be humane and think not only of the health and well-being of your patients, but the concomitant wellness and capability of your nursing staff. I urge you to listen more carefully to the nurses' side of this argument, and come to an amicable settlement with them as soon as possible. I'm sure you would agree that is in the interest of all concerned.

Sincerely,

Among Messages of Solidarity Received:

You guys are our inspiration! Hang in there and keep the faith. Our cause is just.
Rick Brooks, Director
United Nurses & Allied Professionals (RI)

Letter to the Editor, The Patriot Ledger, May 30, 2001

Nursing profession is finally being appreciated

I was amazed that the nurses at South Shore Hospital voted down the Mass. Nurses Association to represent their working conditions. Good for the nursing staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Brockton Hospital for expressing their needs. Do the staff nurses at this hospital have such wonderful working conditions? The doctors certainly have an ideal atmosphere. Most earn over $100,000 to $200,000 per year, but then they must pay for their education and clerical help.  

Most nurses have to work to pay high rent, college tuition, and childcare.

The nurses, lab techs, x-ray techs are shuttled from a parking lot in Hingham every day.  

I hope they’re paid from the time they get on the bus until they reach the job destination. It must take them 15 minutes longer to go to and from work.

None of my daughters wanted to be nurses. I can’t imagine why. They were probably tired of seeing dear old mother working holidays, Christmas, or Thanksgiving (family time). I was grateful to have a job, because my husband’s work wasn’t adequate to support our family.

The nursing profession is finally being appreciated by the public for the good they do in our society.

God bless these wonderful, dedicated men and women.

Jane M. Delorey
Graduate of Boston City Hospital Nursing School
South Weymouth