FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Eliza Bates, NYSNA, eliza.bates@nysna.org, 917-565-2976
Amanda Torres Price, 1199SEIU amanda.torresprice@1199.org,917-886-9311
SUNY enters standstill agreement - Contempt Proceedings Against SUNY Adjourned Until December 16th
Brooklyn, November 17, 2013 – SUNY entered into a standstill agreement on Friday, November 15th that maintains services at LICH, just days before it was set to face a contempt hearing in New York Supreme Court. The contempt hearing that was scheduled to begin on Monday, October 18th, which could result in both civil and criminal contempt charges for SUNY entities, has been postponed until December 16th and can move forward if no permanent agreement can be reached between now and then.
During the adjournment the parties will make efforts to reach a universal settlement that meets the demands of the petitioners to preserve LICH as a full service hospital.
The four-week standstill agreement includes the following terms:
• All court orders remain in effect
• Ambulances will keep running, and patients will continue to be able to get care at LICH at the current level of services.
• There will be no layoffs during the standstill period
• Contempt hearing can move forward on December 16th, absent resolution.
The parties to the agreement include SUNY, SUNY Trustees, John F. Williams, NYSNA, 1199SEIU, Concerned Physicians of LICH, community groups, including the Cobble Hill Association, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, the Department of Health and DOH Comissioner Nirav Shah.
“This is a huge victory for LICH patients,” said Jill Furillo, RN, Executive Director of the New York State Nurses Association. “We are going to use this time to do everything possible to reach a permanent settlement that protects healthcare in our community. Our goal has always been to keep LICH open for care, and this agreement is a step in that direction. We will not hesitate to litigate and to move forward with contempt should SUNY violate this agreement or any other court order during the standstill period.”
“This agreement is great news for LICH patients, working people and the entire Brooklyn community,” said Estela Vazquez, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU. “It will give all parties a chance to come together to find a resolution, and is a step toward reaching a long-term agreement that will preserve our community’s vital healthcare services. LICH will remain open for care and workers will not have to live with the threat of layoffs as we approach the holiday season.”
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The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for more than one hundred thousand frontline nurses.We are New York's largest union and professional association for registered nurses.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 350,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and quality jobs for all.
