Brooks Memorial RNs and Professional Healthcare Staff Stand Up for Safe Staffing

After months of frustrating contract negotiation sessions for the RNs and Professional Healthcare Staff of Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, we took our concerns for patient care to the picket line on Thursday, Sept. 25.
 
“We want our community to know that we are here to take care of our neighbors, family and friends,” said Al Palmatier, OR nurse and 14-year veteran caregiver at the hospital.
 
Our 126 member bargaining unit, which includes RNs and Professional Healthcare Staff, were united on the picket line with our message of a fair contract that protects patient care. We’ve put forward proposals that would increase staffing and include a committee that gives caregivers a say in how care is delivered. But management is instead outsourcing vital patient care services, and wants us to accept cuts to staffing and to our retirement and pension benefits to boost their bottom line.
 
“We know that staffing is a problem — we see it on units like Med-Surg, where patients often need the most attention during and after difficult procedures. Patients should be able to expect a nurse when they need one,” said Dottie Mosher, RN for 15 years at the hospital.
 
Our next negotiations session is in October, where we will continue to demand a fair contract that includes safe staffing levels and a renewed commitment to patient care.
 
We made headlines! Check out the news coverage of our picket in The Buffalo News, Buffalo Time Warner Cable, Chautauqua Today and The Evening Observer.