Mount Vernon nurses sacrifice to help save hospital

Community hospital is still in danger, nurses say

MOUNT VERNON, Aug. 31, 2012 – Registered nurses have agreed to pay and benefit sacrifices in order to help save Mount Vernon Hospital. But the nurses say the hospital is still in crisis – and state action is needed to save it.

The nurses agreed to a one-year contract extension that freezes their pay. They will also pay more for their healthcare benefits. Nurses have not had a raise since 2009. They will vote on the proposal next week. The RNs are represented by the New York State Nurses Association.

The majority of Mount Vernon residents are people of color, and many are uninsured. Mount Vernon Hospital is the only hospital in city limits, and the third-largest employer in the city.

Nurses say that patient care at the hospital has been gutted by a combination of mismanagement and state recommendations to cut services.

They say that the state of New York needs to step in to appoint new management who will keep the hospital open and serving this community.

“When a patient is crashing, everyone circles around and does their part,” said Tracey McCook, RN. ”Our hospital is crashing, and we’ve made sacrifices to help save it. But it’s time for the state of New York to step in and save the hospital.”

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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