800 nurses at South Shore University Hospital on Long Island sent a notice on Tuesday, February 14 of their intention to stand down from their duties and strike on February 27th. South Shore University Hospital is operated by Northwell Health, the company from which the nurses are demanding an 18% wage increase over three years and adequate staffing to ensure enough workers to cater to the patients safely. The nurses at South Shore Hospital are represented by New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA).
“Nurses were called frontline heroes for our work [during the pandemic], and we’ve continued to work nonstop to deliver the quality care our community needs,” said Chrysse Blau, the local bargaining unit president for the New York State Nurses Association at South Shore, in a statement. “Northwell needs to come to the table and deliver a fair contract that guarantees the safe staffing levels and the respect nurses deserve, so we can deliver the care our community deserves.”
Northwell and the New York State Nurses Association have been in negotiations for new contracts for the nurses at the 300-bed medical facility. Northwell is reportedly offering a 13% increase over three years, with a one-time bonus of $1,000.
Nurses at South Shore have said the strikes at Montefiore Medical Center and Mount Sinai inspired them to strike.
South Shore and Northwell announced that they had adequate cover to fill the gap that would be left by nurses if no resolution was found before February 27th. “We remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached and will continue to bargain in good faith and look forward to positive and productive ongoing negotiations with NYSNA,” South Shore leadership said in a statement.
“While it is unfortunate that NYSNA has not responded to our last proposals and decided to strike instead, the hospital has contracted with a staffing agency to provide for temporary replacement workers to care for our patients while you are striking.”
A spokesperson for Northwell said the hospital would be fully operational.
The NYSNA said the best way for South Shore to continue operating properly and cater to their patients was to listen to the nurses and offer them a fair contract.
