All things are NOT equal at Franklin Hospital!

Nurses conducting protest Nov. 8 to call for end to disparities with RNs at other North Shore/LIJ facilities

VALLEY STREAM, Nov. 2, 2011 — What’s fair may indeed be fair. But registered nurses at Franklin Hospital say that the North Shore/LIJ Health System isn’t being fair to them.

The 250 RNs, represented by the New York State Nurses Association, are currently negotiating a new contract. Their most-recent agreement expired on Dec. 31, 2010. The RNs provide quality care to the community every day, but under the hospital’s proposals, they would be paying more for health coverage than other North Shore nurses and receive much less pay.

Franklin RNs don’t believe the care they provide to the community is worth any less than that of their counterparts. So the RNs are planning to conduct an informational picket from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8, in front of the hospital at 900 Franklin Ave.

Unlike Nurses Association represented RNs at other North Shore/LIJ facilities, Franklin nurses already pay a large percentage of their health coverage. While the nurses have paid their fair share of health costs through the years, the RNs are concerned that a hike in health care costs would severely affect their families’ finances.

Franklin RNs believe such inequity shows a lack of respect for the work they do. They are only seeking parity with other North Shore/LIJ facilities – not only concerning affordable health coverage, but in factors that help to recruit and retain RNs, such as competitive salaries and adequate RN-to-patient staffing.

Nurses from the bargaining unit will be available to speak about the issues during the event.

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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