North Adams Transcript, September 2, 2010 North Adams - Registered nurses at North Adams Regional Hospital reached a tentative contract agreement this morning at 10:15 and averted a strike, the local union of the Massachusetts Nurses Association has reported. "We're happy," said Ruth O'Hern, chairwoman of the nurses' negotiating committee. "Our shifts are protected, and we have a two-year agreement." The settlement came after a 24-hour marathon negotiating sesson. The nurses have been without a contract since March 31 and had planned to strike Friday at 6 AM. A support rally planned for 5 PM today at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center will now be a victory celebration, O'Hern said. The public is invited. Look for further details later today and a full story in tomorrow's Transcript. The Massachusetts Nurses Association issued the following news release: Marathon negotiations over the past two days lead to a negotiated tentative settlement between the Massachusetts Nurses Association bargaining unit and North Adams Regional Hospital.Due to the tentative settlement the strike scheduled for September third has been averted, Negotiations over the contract between the registered nurses and the hospital have been going on since January. The primary outstanding issues had been the hospital's concessionary proposals that would have been disastrous to the quality of patient care the nurses are able to deliver, and to the nurse's quality of life. "We are satisfied and relieved that we were able to work out a tentative settlement that serves the needs of our patients and our members. We want to thank the community for the outpouring of support we have received. Everywhere we went our neighbors, our friends and our patients offered us their support. This positive settlement never would have been possible without the community backing. It is our hope that after these contentious negotiations we will be able to work with the hospital as they go through their difficult financial problems and possible affiliation with Berkshire Medical Center," said bargaining unit Chair Ruth O'Hern RN. The nurses will schedule a ratification vote in the near future. The pre-strike [rally] scheduled for today ... has now become a celebration.