by News 12 Westchester

HAVERSTRAW - Hundreds of 1199SEIU union nurses around the Hudson Valley protested Wednesday for better contracts.

About 120 union members from Northern Riverview Healthcare in Haverstraw joined hundreds of thousands of union members around the Hudson Valley and Manhattan who say they want a fair contract. They been working without a contract since the end of last month.

The group is taking a stand for better benefits, including a 3 percent raise.

Many of the workers from 1199SEIU union, including nurses, caregivers and nursing assistants, say they rely on a fair contract to make a living. They say they are concerned that without a fair contract, patients will suffer the most.

The group that represents the employers is not releasing any statements while negotiations take place.