Press Release
For Immediate Release: October 27, 2009 

Nurses Vote Overwhelmingly For Strike Authorization Against Lenox Hill and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospitals 

 
NYPNU Wants High Quality Health Care for Patients and for Nurse

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(New York, NY) – The New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU) members voted overwhelmingly to strike at Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. Today, NYPNU has served Gladys George, President/CEO of Lenox Hill Hospital, with a 10-day strike notice and set a strike deadline of Monday, November 9.

 
The strike vote turnout was the largest in NYPNU history, showing nurses’ dedication to high quality patient care. At 98%, the nearly unanimous strike vote was a clear mandate from members.

 “Nurses are focused on ensuring and delivering the best patient care,” said NYPNU President Maureen McCarthy. “We need to enforce nurse to patient ratios and safe staffing levels, as well as make sure nurses are not forced to work overtime. Our members have sent a clear message that patient care comes first.”

 Talks with hospital officials over updating the collective bargaining agreement have been ongoing since early September, and many significant economic and patient care issues remain unresolved. The agreement expires on Oct 31.  Nurse-Patient Ratios, Mandatory Overtime, Pension, and Competitive Wages remain unresolved.

Another outstanding issue is the affordability of health care for nurses themselves. "Nurses have to be able to afford our own health care. We won't be able to afford the care we are providing,” said McCarthy.  The Hospital has, in fact, taken the position that they are not in the business of providing health care to its employees.

 Retention, pay levels, and reinstatement of earlier cuts to the nurses' retirement plans are also outstanding. Those issues are central to the ability of the hospital to keep its current professional nurses at the bedside and recruit new nurses, McCarthy noted.

“It’s time for Lenox Hill to offer a fair contract package, so our patients will have access to the best and most experienced nurses when they need care. The patients and our nurses deserve nothing less,” McCarthy added.

Contact: Kathrina Suarez 212 988 5565
Sarah Massey 202 445 1169