Nurses Signal Major Compromise

Registered nurses at Berkshire Medical Center signaled yesterday that they are willing to accept a hike in their health care premiums, a move a union representative called a “major compromise” in the ongoing contract negotiations with Berkshire Medical Center.

But in return, the nurses want the hospital to meet their staffing demands.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that the announcement came as more than two dozen people gathered outside the hospital in Pittsfield yesterday afternoon for a rally in support of nurses in their negotiations, which began in September 2016.

Speakers at the rally included city councilors, political candidates, business leaders and union members. A spokesman for the hospital declined to comment on the development.