Sound Shore, Mount Vernon RNs to conduct joint protest

NEW ROCHELLE, Dec. 15, 2011 – Mount Vernon Hospital and Sound Shore Medical Center may be separated by three miles, but their registered nurses face the same resistance from management in addressing their concerns.

Both hospitals are under the same corporate management, which is seeking to drive up the out-of-pocket healthcare costs for the 425 RNs. In response, the nurses will conduct a joint informational picket from 7:30 to 9:00 AM, Wednesday, Dec. 21, in front of Sound Shore Medical Center at 175 Memorial Highway, in New Rochelle.

RNs at both facilities have been trying to negotiate new contracts for several months, but Sound Shore network CEO John Spicer is demanding concessions from the RNs on the cost and coverage of health insurance. The RNs say that comprehensive coverage is necessary because RNs are likely to suffer from health problems developed while on the job – such as neck and back injuries, high stress, and risk of exposure to contagious disease.

Quality health coverage is also a key element in encouraging RNs to come to Sound Shore and Mount Vernon and convincing experienced nurses to stay. Improving recruitment and retention, in turn, is crucial to improving RN-to-patient staffing. Studies have shown that hospitals with better staffing have better patient outcomes.

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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