St. Vincent RN’s approve three-year contract after long struggle

Retiree health benefits, tuition reimbursement among the gains

New York, October 31, 2008 – After a long battle with the management of St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in the West Village of Manhattan, RNs working there have ratified a three-year contract. Increases in salary, retiree health benefits, and tuition reimbursement are among the positive changes in the new contract. The 786 RNs working at St. Vincent’s are represented by the New York State Nurse’s Association (NYSNA).

Negotiating sessions began in November of 2007, and the contract was ratified by all parties on October 20, 2008. There were 46 negotiating sessions in all. The RNs posted billboards, took out ads on video display screens and in newspapers, protested and worked diligently to achieve this end.

“The nurses really stood strong here for almost year. They were unified,” said Christine LaPerche, nursing representative for NYSNA. “They made every effort. They came in large numbers to the negotiating sessions.”

Leaders among the nurses include RNs Eileen Dunn, Mary B. Flood, Doreen Germino, John M. Hiltunen, Gina Da Rosso and Michael Cormier. “The executive committee never wavered in their support of the rest of the St. Vincent nurses.” said Ilyssa DeCasperis, labor representative for NYSNA.

“This restores St. Vincent’s RNs to the nursing salary standard of the city,” continued DeCasperis, “The nurses made it clear that they remained loyal to their employer through St. Vincent’s bankruptcy, and now it is their employer’s turn to repay their patience by bringing their salary and benefits up to industry standards.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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