Nathan Littauer nurses to picket September 15

Second protest in three months over stalled contract talks

GLOVERSVILLE, Sept. 13, 2011 – Even though contract negotiations continued through the summer, the management of Nathan Littauer Hospital has yet to offer the nurses a fair contract that supports the nurses’ commitment to giving the best care to their patients.

As a result, the RNs will again conduct an informational picket from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in front of the hospital at 99 East State St. The most-recent four-year contract for the 144 RNs, represented by the New York State Nurses Association, expired on Dec. 31, 2010. The RNs believe they are making every effort to negotiate in good faith, but management continues to offer no significant movement.

The RNs say the most critical issue is RN-to-patient staffing on high-volume or critical care units. Although the hospital expanded its emergency room, management continues to schedule the same number of staff and has refused to bring back ward clerks in Maternity and Pediatrics. RNs are being left with responsibility for the clerks’ duties, which can take them away from their direct-care duties.

More than 150 RNs and supporters took part in the nurses’ first picket on June 2. The nurses hope the picket will encourage community support for their contract negotiations and lead to the settlement of a fair contract.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is New York’s largest professional association and union for registered nurses. The association represents registered nurses, and some all-professional bargaining units, in New York and New Jersey. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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