Nurses at Mount Vernon Hospital to hold candlelight protest Thursday

RNs angry over contract negotiation delays, giveback demands

MOUNT VERNON, Jan. 9, 2012 — Registered nurses at Mount Vernon Hospital will conduct a candlelight vigil Thursday to protest management’s continued demands for givebacks.

The vigil will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, in front of the hospital at 12 N. Seventh Ave. The 125 RNs are represented for collective bargaining by the New York State Nurses Association.

This will be the nurses’ second public protest in what has become an increasingly tense round of negotiations. The RNs currently are negotiating a new contract to replace a four-year agreement that expired on Aug. 15, 2010.

John Spicer, CEO for the corporate parent Sound Shore Health System, 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 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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