(THREE RIVERS) – It was a different kind of picket line that happened Tuesday afternoon.

Nurses at Three Rivers Beacon Health held an informational picket to bring awareness to their contract negotiations with Beacon Health. The negotiations have been going on since January. The nurses’ contract expired March 31.

Brandy Shoup is a nurse at Three Rivers Beacon Health, and President of the local union. She explains what the nurses are looking for with their new contract. LINKC.

Shoup shares what the conditions are currently like for the nurses. LINKD.

Shoup says they need better wages, better health insurance, and an end to forcing them to work so many extra hours. She says a strong contract will ensure safer staffing so they can provide the best care possible for the community.

This contract marks the first Beacon is negotiating in the state since it announced plans to acquire four southwest Michigan Ascension facilities, including two hospitals that have Michigan Nurses Association nurse unions (Borgess in Kalamazoo and Borgess Allegan).