FRAMINGHAM - On Wednesday, January 10, nurses at Framingham Union Hospital will vote on having the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) represent them in collective bargaining.

After initiating the process back in September by filing for a union election, nurses at the local healthcare center will now have the opportunity to affirm their desire to be represented by the state’s largest union for registered nurses. If the majority of nurses who participate in the election vote in favor of joining the MNA, the association will be recognized as the local nurses’ representative at the bargaining table by the National Labor Relations Board.

The MNA stated back in September that 278 nurses at Framingham Union Hospital sought to join the association initially. Those at Framingham Union in favor of joining the MNA have cited safety concerns, poor working conditions, and trouble regarding staffing as major motivating factors.

This development comes following animosity shown by nurses, the MNA, and city officials towards the operator of Framingham Union Hospital and the larger MetroWest Medical Center system: the Texas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp. President of the MNA Katie Murphy accused Tenet of “union-busting” activities as a way to prevent the union vote back in November, while the Framingham City Council unanimously voted prior to the turn of the new year in favor of sending a letter to Tenet leadership demanding that a union vote be permitted. Councilors also called upon executives at Tenet to attend a meeting at some point this month in order to provide the public a chance to provide their thoughts on the quality of local healthcare.

As of the time of publication, Tenet has not responded to The Frame's request for comment on matters at their health centers across Framingham.