The union that represents more than 3,300 nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital is planning a picket next month amid contentious contract negotiations. 

The Massachusetts Nurses Association accused hospital officials of refusing to pay fair raises while chipping away at benefits. Brigham is a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital owned by Partners HealthCare, the largest health care provider in Massachusetts.

“Partners, in negotiations over the last seven months, has demonstrated a lack of respect for Brigham nurses,” the union said in a statement.

Nurses plan to picket outside the hospital on May 17.

A hospital spokeswoman, Erin McDonough, said hospital leaders have listened to the union’s concerns and have responded with “significant enhancements” to the labor contract.

“The Brigham and Women’s Hospital community has the utmost respect for our nurses and the vital role they play,” McDonough said.

The two sides disagree on wages, health benefits, and time off. Union officials said the hospital, in addition to refusing “fair wage increases” for nurses, is proposing changes that would result in big increases in health insurance premiums and less time off for new nurses.

Hospital officials said they are proposing generous benefits and wage increases for all nurses, including 5 percent annual raises for most nurses, and 1 percent increases for those at the top of the pay scale.

The average Brigham nurse makes $106,000 a year, plus benefits, according to the hospital.

The Brigham contract talks follow tense negotiations at another Partners hospital, Newton-Wellesley. The nurses’ union and Newton-Wellesley Hospital reached an agreement late last month that averted a potential strike.

Original Post: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/04/28/brigham-nurses-protesting-contract-talks/by6aOtLfZVxJrpsdP0J5WP/story.html