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Hospital makes final offer to nurses

By TOM KANE

UPDATED June 26, 2003

HARRIS, NY — Catskill Regional Medical Center CEO Arthur Brien called in the press to tell the nurses and the union that the hospital can’t find the money to make a better offer than the one they’ve already made.

Brien went to the press on June 19 because he hadn’t heard from the union, he said.

“I don’t like to negotiate a contract in the press,” he said.

“It’s the best we can offer under the present circumstances,” Brien said. “There’s no more room to go.” He made reference to the fiscal constraints on New York State and the hospital due to the September 11 tragedy.

In his view, the proposed contract is a very attractive offer.