“Short staffing is threatening the ability of the staff to provide the care that these children deserve.”
For Release:
Mindy Berman (518) 229-0486
https://www.facebook.com/1199caphv
https://www.facebook.com/1199seiu
When: TOMORROW! Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, 300 Corporate Blvd S, Yonkers
What: Informational Picket, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Respiratory Therapists (RTs) at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Yonkers, members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the state’s powerful healthcare workers union, will be picketing in front of the facility for severely ill children tomorrow, September 16. They will be joined during the day by other 1199SEIU healthcare workers at the Center and in the area, as well as some Yonkers public officials.
Coraminita Mahr, 1199SEIU Vice President said, “We have been in contract negotiations with the Center’s management for over a year in an effort to secure the staffing we need to care for our patients – to no avail. Our patients are sick children who deserve not only quality medical care, but also the social interaction that comes with caregiving. Short staffing is threatening the ability of the nurses and respiratory therapists to provide the quality care that these children deserve.”
Background: In June 2013, approximately 160 RNs and RTs voted to become members of 1199SEIU. They have been negotiating for over a year and still do not have a collective bargaining agreement. The actual number of staff varies, because there is a revolving door of departures and new hires. That situation puts continuity of care for the children at risk, which is of great concern to their caregivers. Ironically, it also makes it difficult to focus on negotiations, which is the best way to resolve the problem. To make matters worse, the RNs and RTs say that management has been targeting union activists; some have been given disciplines and suspensions, and others have been terminated.
Mahr explained, “Wages that are below market rates, unjust terminations and general lack of respect for the staff have forced quality professionals to leave the Center. This risk to the health of pediatric patients is blatantly unnecessary. We need a contract that provides basic levels of compensation and benefits, which can help to reduce these high rates of turnover, thereby leading to better outcomes for the children at Elizabeth Seton. The commitment, love and care that the the staff provides to these children every day has value!”
In addition to the nurses and respiratory therapists, there are 146 service & maintenance 1199SEIU members at the Center who settled their first contract in 2000. Their current contract recently expired on April 30, 2015. Bargaining has not started yet, and in the meantime the employer has agreed to honor the terms and conditions of the last contract.
Both bargaining units are coming together at the informational picket to inform the public about the current situation at Elizabeth Seton. Picketing will take place on 1199SEIU members’ own time and there will be no disruption of work schedules. The next date for negotiations for the RNs and RTs is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
For Release:
Mindy Berman (518) 229-0486
https://www.facebook.com/1199caphv
https://www.facebook.com/1199seiu
When: TOMORROW! Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, 300 Corporate Blvd S, Yonkers
What: Informational Picket, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Respiratory Therapists (RTs) at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Yonkers, members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the state’s powerful healthcare workers union, will be picketing in front of the facility for severely ill children tomorrow, September 16. They will be joined during the day by other 1199SEIU healthcare workers at the Center and in the area, as well as some Yonkers public officials.
Coraminita Mahr, 1199SEIU Vice President said, “We have been in contract negotiations with the Center’s management for over a year in an effort to secure the staffing we need to care for our patients – to no avail. Our patients are sick children who deserve not only quality medical care, but also the social interaction that comes with caregiving. Short staffing is threatening the ability of the nurses and respiratory therapists to provide the quality care that these children deserve.”
Background: In June 2013, approximately 160 RNs and RTs voted to become members of 1199SEIU. They have been negotiating for over a year and still do not have a collective bargaining agreement. The actual number of staff varies, because there is a revolving door of departures and new hires. That situation puts continuity of care for the children at risk, which is of great concern to their caregivers. Ironically, it also makes it difficult to focus on negotiations, which is the best way to resolve the problem. To make matters worse, the RNs and RTs say that management has been targeting union activists; some have been given disciplines and suspensions, and others have been terminated.
Mahr explained, “Wages that are below market rates, unjust terminations and general lack of respect for the staff have forced quality professionals to leave the Center. This risk to the health of pediatric patients is blatantly unnecessary. We need a contract that provides basic levels of compensation and benefits, which can help to reduce these high rates of turnover, thereby leading to better outcomes for the children at Elizabeth Seton. The commitment, love and care that the the staff provides to these children every day has value!”
In addition to the nurses and respiratory therapists, there are 146 service & maintenance 1199SEIU members at the Center who settled their first contract in 2000. Their current contract recently expired on April 30, 2015. Bargaining has not started yet, and in the meantime the employer has agreed to honor the terms and conditions of the last contract.
Both bargaining units are coming together at the informational picket to inform the public about the current situation at Elizabeth Seton. Picketing will take place on 1199SEIU members’ own time and there will be no disruption of work schedules. The next date for negotiations for the RNs and RTs is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
