For Immediate Release: Monday, Aug. 14, 2023
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Diana Moreno | press@nysna.org | 917-327-2302
98% of NYSNA Nurses at St. Catherine of Siena Vote to Authorize a Strike
Nurses have vowed to do “whatever it takes” to win safe staffing for patients and respectful wages and benefits to recruit and retain nurses at St. Catherine
Union leadership can now deliver a 10-day strike notice if necessary
Smithtown, N.Y. – Nurses at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike with 98% of nurses voting in favor of authorization. Nurses have been working with an expired contract since July 31 and decided to vote on authorizing a strike after a slow week of bargaining that saw little movement on two key issues, safe staffing and respectful wages. Voting took place between Wednesday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 13.
Since negotiations began on June 30, nurses have been clear about their commitment to doing “whatever it takes” to win a fair contract by packing the room during bargaining meetings, launching a petition campaign, and having over 130 nurses march on the CEO to present their demands on July 26. Their overwhelming support for calling a strike if necessary demonstrates they are united and committed to winning a fair contract.
If NYSNA nurses cannot reach a tentative agreement with St. Catherine of Siena administration, nurses would have to deliver a 10-day notice before going out on strike. Nurses go back to the bargaining table today, Monday, Aug. 14.
NYSNA union president at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Tammy Miller, RN, said: “It’s simple — we are fighting for safe staffing for our patients and the wages we deserve and need to recruit and retain nurses. Striking is a last resort and not a decision we take lightly, but we’ve made our concerns clear to management and now it’s time for them to deliver.”
NYSNA nurse at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Lorraine Incarnato, RN, PI, said: “Nurses at St. Catherine are done allowing management to treat us like zeroes, instead of heroes. This vote shows that nurses are united and ready to do whatever it takes to win a great contract for our patients and the Smithtown community!”
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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.
