Nathan Littauer nurses vote to strike

Fighting to protect patient care

GLOVERSVILLE, Nov. 1, 2011 – For nearly a year, registered nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital have made a sincere effort to negotiate a fair contract. Hospital management, however, hasn’t.

The nurses’ negotiating team has made every possible effort, including the use of a federal mediator, to reach an amicable settlement. Left with no other choice, the RNs voted overwhelmingly tonight to authorize a strike.

The 144 RNs are represented by the New York State Nurses Association. Their most recent four-year contract expired on Dec. 31, 2010.

Under federal labor law, a strike cannot start until 10 days after the nurses’ negotiating committee serves the hospital with a notice of intent. This advance notice has not yet been served. The next session is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Nurses believe that management continues to make demands that will force experienced nurses away from Nathan Littauer and make it very difficult to attract qualified RNs – which are in high demand during this nursing shortage. Nathan Littauer nurses are taking this step because they want to make sure that highly qualified nurses will remain here to care for our community – now and in the future.

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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