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Newton-Wellesley Nurses Announce 1-Day Strike

WELLESLEY, Mass. (AP) — Registered nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital have issued the required 10-day notice of their intent to conduct a one-day strike.

The nurses said Friday they plan a 24-hour strike starting at 7 a.m. June 30 to protest what they call "deteriorating patient care conditions," and proposed benefits cuts by Partners Healthcare, the hospital's parent company.

Nurses will picket in front of the hospital and at Partners corporate headquarters.

The nurses allege Partners has decreased RN staffing levels on some floors and increased the floating of nurses to cover for staffing shortages to the detriment of patients. They also say Partners is offering inadequate raises while cutting health and vacation benefits.

A hospital spokesman disputed some of the nurses' claims and said management remains committed to negotiations and hopes a strike can be avoided.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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