For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Genovese, 518.782.9400, ext 353
MANHATTAN and STATEN ISLAND, Oct. 18, 2011 – Hundreds of registered nurses at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Staten Island University Hospital are conducting informational pickets today to demand fair contracts that preserve their health insurance benefits.
In Manhattan, nurses and supporters will rally at Mt. Sinai Medical Center from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 1450 Madison Ave, between 98th-101st Streets, in front of the Klingenstein Clinical Center.
Also in Manhattan, at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, the rally will be at the Roosevelt Hospital site at 1000 10th Avenue between West 58th and 59th Streets from noon - 2 p.m.
Staten Island University Hospital nurses and supporters will rally from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Seaview Avenue in front of the hospital.
The registered nurses at all three hospitals are represented by the New York State Nurses Association and have coordinated their informational pickets to stress the importance of health benefits to the nurses, and to show their resolve and solidarity.
“Health insurance benefits are a top priority for nurses,” said Michelle Green, a Nurses Association bargaining representative. “As professionals who dedicate their careers to providing quality care to patients, they believe as a matter of respect and fairness that they should be assured of access to the healthcare services they help provide everyday.”
“Our healthcare benefits are not something hospital management has given us for free - because we recognize the value of access to health care, nurses have consistently prioritized health insurance benefits over wages and other monetary benefits, but now management is using the economic climate to try and squeeze nurses on both ends,” Green continued.
“A fair contract for nurses, one that provides for appropriate RN staffing, reasonable wages and assured access to health care, is good for the community, and helps local hospitals retain experienced nurses and recruit well qualified new hires,” Green said.
The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York’s largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.
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