NEW YORK NURSE: October 2009

McClellan RNs now under Ellis contract

by Mark Genovese

The 80 RNs at Ellis Hospital’s McClellan Street Campus are now under the same NYSNA contract as the 400 RNs at the hospital’s Nott Street Campus.

Provisions of the new agreement, which was approved by McClellan RNs on Sept. 10:

Layoff protections will be improved for all Ellis RNs through the expiration of the contract on Feb. 28, 2010. No RN hired prior to the Ellis/St. Clare’s merger on June 17, 2008, will be laid off unless the hospital closes.
Layoffs at the family health center will be delayed until January 2011. Affected RNs will be given preference for hiring over non-Ellis applicants.
Family and pediatric health center RNs will receive salary increases or lump-sum payments to help balance salary inequities.

“McClellan Campus nurses sought union representation last fall because of their desire to have a voice in the decisions that affect their own practice and their ability to care for their patients,” said Jeff Schioppa, NYSNA organizer. “Ratification of this agreement is a crucial first step toward this goal.