Hundreds of Bronx Montefiore nurses to picket Friday morning, afternoon

Demand hospital management act on key issues: safe staffing, health benefits for nurses

BRONX, Nov. 16, 2011 - Nurses will be on the move Friday in the Bronx.

Hundreds of members of the New York State Nurses Association are expected to express their frustration and anger at management stalling tactics in bargaining at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx this Friday, November 18.

The Montefiore nurses will picket TWICE on Friday, taking their case to their Bronx neighbors, as they pass out information fliers to community residents.

Picketing will occur:

Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30-9:00 AM - At the Moses facility, Gunhill Rd. and Rochambeau AND the Weiler facility on Eastchester Rd.
Fri., Nov. 18, 1:00-2:30 PM - At the Moses facility, Gunhill Rd. and Rochambeau

The Montefiore nurses have been working without a new contract since December 2010.

“This highly profitable hospital must address our concerns about safe staffing for our patients,” said Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, president of the Moses division of the 2,700-member NYSNA unit at the Bronx hospital.

“Like our colleagues at Mt. Sinai, Presbyterian and St. Luke's-Roosevelt, we are telling the hospitals they must address the needs of their nurses for improved staffing, and affordable health benefits for the nurses who are on the front lines of care for patients,” she continued.

Sheridan-Gonzalez and other NYSNA members working at Montefiore will be available for comment.

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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