Smithtown, N.Y. – On Wednesday, July 26, over 130 NYSNA nurses fighting for a fair contract at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital marched on the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) carrying a banner with pictures of nurses holding signs that read, “We’re ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract.”

NYSNA union leaders went inside the CFO’s office to demand progress in contract negotiations, while nurses, their children, and allies chanted outside the CFO’s office. On the heels of contract victories at other Catholic Health System facilities, St. Joseph and St. Charles Hospital, the march was a reminder to management that nurses are firm on their contract demands of safe staffing and the wages and benefits that are competitive with other Long Island hospitals.

Nurses began negotiations on May 30, but management has been dragging their feet on safe staffing proposals, the central demand for nurses at St. Catherine’s. Their contract is set to expire at the end of the month.

St. Catherine nurses were at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic on Long Island and saw the Smithtown community through one of its toughest public health challenges. The hospital currently has over 100 nurse vacancies, and nurses are fighting for a contract that will retain and recruit enough nurses for safe patient care.

Pictures and videos of the action can be seen on our facebook page and may be used with credit to NYSNA.

NYSNA union president at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Tammy Miller, RN, said: “Today, nurses have made it clear we’re ready to do whatever it takes for patient safety and a fair contract. We marched because we need safe staffing levels and improved wages and benefits to stop the hemorrhage of nurses leaving our hospital. Nurses want to serve in this community, but they need a reason to stay. We need a fair contract!”

NYSNA nurse at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Lorraine Incarnato, RN, PI, said: “Nurses at St. Catherine’s are currently some of the lowest paid in Suffolk County. After what we did to support our community through COVID-19, that is a shameful fact. We’re fighting for competitive pay with other Long Island hospitals to be able to recruit and retain enough nurses to provide the highest quality care to our Smithtown community. It’s time for St. Catherine management to deliver a fair contract for nurses!"