Peconic Bay Medical Center staff approve two year contract

Riverhead, NY, December 29, 2008 – On Tuesday, Dec. 23, the 310 members of the New York State Nurses Association of Peconic Bay Medical Center ratified a two-year contract. At Peconic Bay, NYSNA members are RNs, x-ray technicians, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and several other professional job classifications. The contract is effective Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2010.

Highlights of the contract include a NYSNA pension with contributions from Peconic for those with ten years of service, and three percent pay increases. The NYSNA members will retain their current retiree health benefits.

Safe staffing ratios have been maintained in the contract. This will expedite the most consistent patient care and least burnout among staff stretched to their limit. In intensive care there will be one RN for every two patients. Staffing levels for other units are specified in detail in the contract.

The NYSNA members have been negotiating for this contract since September. They took out ads in the local newspapers and conducted respect bracelet and button wearing campaigns.

“I, and the rest of the negotiating team, would like to thank the membership for their support through this intense struggle through to the ratification of this NYSNA contract,” said Diane Groneman, respiratory therapist and co-chair of the Peconic negotiating committee.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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