Mount Vernon nurses hold candlelight protest

Management refuses to fund RNs' pension plan

MOUNT VERNON, Oct. 1, 2010 – Registered nurses at Mount Vernon Hospital will conduct a candlelight vigil on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 to protest management’s refusal to continue funding their pension plan.

The vigil will be held outside of the hospital at 12 North Seventh Avenue from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The 120 RNs are represented for collective bargaining by the New York State Nurses Association.

The RNs support the hospital’s efforts to overcome its financial problems. But they are concerned that the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain nurses would be seriously affected if the nurses were to lose their pension plan. A loss of experienced nurses could affect the quality of care for patients at Mount Vernon Hospital, which could, in turn, contribute to the hospital’s closing.

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 professional association and largest union for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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