St. Luke’s-Roosevelt nurses vote overwhelmingly to strike

MANHATTAN, Nov. 5, 2011 – Registered nurses at Manhattan's St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center voted overwhelmingly - by an almost 9-to-1 margin - to authorize a strike, as a result of stalled contract negotiations. The vote was held Nov. 1-4.

The 1,367 registered nurses, members of the New York State Nurses Association, have been at the table with hospital management for months - but have been unable to reach an agreement, as management has refused to move on issues important to nurses and their families.

"The hospital's offers don't meet our members' needs," said Elaine Charpentier, Nurses Association’s negotiator. "They want to force higher premiums, up to $100 more a month, on their front line health care workers. In addition, their pay offer is insufficient in one of America's most expensive regions."

The association has proposed reasonable financial packages that address the hospital's concerns, but management has consistently rejected them. The association's concerns about staffing, safe patient handling and workplace safety have also not been addressed.

"No one wants a strike, but nurses will not accept proposals that hurt them and their families," said Charpentier. "The hospital needs to realize this contract will directly affect their ability to recruit and retain the world-class nurses needed at the hospital."

Nurses will decide in coming days when they will begin the strike notification process with hospital management.

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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