Community Corner
Funding Critical After Children's Hospital Unionizes
RN's voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the union earlier this month
In a statement released exlcusively to Patch, St. Mary's Hospital for Children has spoken out about the unionization of their 100 nurses.
As reported by the Queens Chronicle, 90 percent of the RN's voted in favor of joining Local 1199 SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East. This came on the heels of a vote last month that included other staff workers at St. Mary's, including nurses aides and clerks, who also voted largely in favor of joining the union.
A spokesman for St. Mary's released this statement;
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As we face an uncertain economic climate and an era of Medicaid Reform, philanthropic support is critical, under all circumstances, to sustain our vital programs and services that help St. Mary’s children and their families heal, grow and thrive.
Union officials have confirmed that the registered nurses at St. Mary's will soon be negotiating their contracts for enhancements.
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Several of the nurses at St. Mary's said they hope the union will allow for better staffing to more effectively help patients, while also providing a more secure work environment.
"There were a lot of inconsistencies, which causes confusion and a high turnover," Cindy MacDonald of Bayside told the Queens Chronicle. "There will be more defined rules of behavior for everyone," she added.
Updated, Sept. 28, 3:55a.m.