ESCANABA -- Nurses with the Michigan Nurses Association and their supporters marched on US-2 Thursday in front of OSF Saint Francis Hospital.  It was an informational picket to show the nurses' frustrations with the recent contract offer made by OSF management.

Last week the nurses rejected the hospital's final offer regarding economic terms in their current three year contract.  The parties say they were unable to agree on a general pay increase and sick time benefits.

But as of Monday, the nurses were notified the hospital would exercise its legal right to implement all or some of those proposals starting on the July 25, and the nurses aren't happy.

Thursday afternoon, over 100 nurses and their supporters picketed in front of the hospital.  They said little during the march, but they hoped their actions were heard loud and clear.

"It's just a crying shame that professional women and men have to be forced to take this kind of stand; it just goes against my grain," said RN Mary Nelson.

Union reps say it's not about the money, it's about benefits.  Hospital officials say OSF has standardized its benefits, so they're now the same for all health care employees.

The nurses disagree.  They say their sick time benefits are being cut by 70 percent, which they feel is unacceptable.

"We've examined the benefits at St. Francis in Peoria and they are absolutely not the same," said RN and Union Chair, Sara Kofsky.  "We're very upset that we have to even be out here and be in this kind of situation.  We expected a fair economic re-opener with the hospital, and we did not receive that."

However, hospital reps say they stand by their proposals and feel their offer was fair.  Especially, under the current economic conditions.

"We are in the midst of a three year agreement, in the second year of a three year contract, and unfortunately, we've reached an impasse in economic re-opener negotiations," explained hospital spokesman, Lanna Scannell.  "So we have notified the union that we're exercising our legal right to implement some or all of the selected proposals that were included in our best, last, and final offer."

Both sides hope to get this issue resolved as soon as possible.  Until then, nurses say all options, including another picket or even a strike, are on the table.