For Immediate Release
Contact: Randi Hoffman, 212.785.0157, ext. 118
Mark Genovese, 518.782.9400, ext. 353
QUEENS, April 29, 2008 — For months, registered nurses at Peninsula Hospital Center have been trying to negotiate a new contract. With their current pact expiring on April 30, time is running out and the nurses want management to get serious about completing an agreement.
The RNs will express their dissatisfaction at an informational picket from noon to 2 p.m., on Thursday, May 1, in front of the hospital at 51-15 Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway. The 200 RNs are represented by the New York State Nurses Association.
Peninsula RNs are seeking improvements to their work environment that would help the hospital recruit and retain registered nurses. This includes contract provisions to provide health coverage in their retirement years.
Nursing is a physically demanding profession. With average age of RNs in New York State now in the mid-40s, many nurses are unable to continue working until the traditional retirement age of 65, when Medicare is available.
The nurses believe improvements in their work environment such this will help hospital recruit and retain registered nurses, which is beneficial to the entire community.
With more than 36,000 members, the New York State Nurses Association is the nation's oldest and largest state nurses’ association. NYSNA fosters high standards of nursing education, research, and practice; engages in legislative activity; and provides collective bargaining services to registered nurses. Its mission is to advance the profession of nursing and protect the public's health.
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