“All of our jobs have value—the community depends on our work, they count on us.”

1199SEIU members were joined on Thursday evening by registered nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) in front of Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, New York. United, they took their fight for quality and safe patient care to their community. As darkness approached and then, finally settled in, the caregivers held a candlelight vigil outside of the hospital, covered by rain ponchos and umbrellas.

The workers, with community supporters at their side said the joint action was a sign of unity and also, a message to management that the hospital and nursing home could not run without all of the workers. “Registered nurses, techs, housekeepers, and C.N.A.s --- all of our jobs have value --- the community depends on our work, they count on us,” said 1199SEIU member Kelly Cooper.

Both bargaining units have been trying, to no avail, to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract with the management. Their proposals include living wages, affordable health and retirement benefits and economic security for all employees. The caregivers say that management’s proposals do not take into consideration the undeniable link between a healthcare worker staff that is valued and respected by management and quality care.

"We're uniting for our patients and we're asking management to care for those that take care of the Gloversville community. Our members are focused on achieving a contract that includes enforceable and safe staffing levels at Nathan Littauer; that protects the continuity and quality of care for our patients; and that provides secure health and retirement policies for all healthcare workers and nurses," said Marion Enright, a registered nurse at Nathan Littauer Hospital. "We went into this profession to be patient advocates. That’s what this candlelight vigil is all about. By 1199SEIU and NYSNA coming together, with the community, we are posing a challenge to a company that has put profits before Gloversville patients.”

"If you care about our community’s hospital and the patients who depend on it, how can you not pay attention to the well-being of the workers and caregivers who make it run? We don’t only work here — we're also part of the community - we count on Nathan Littauer, our families have counted on the hospital for generations,” said Carmie Digiacomo, who works in Housekeeping at the hospital. “No one is asking for anything extraordinary or unreasonable. If you respect the work that we do, there is no question that we deserve livable wages, affordable health care and secure retirement. Everyone benefits when its community hospital is a beacon for quality healthcare and good stable jobs. No one should settle for less from Nathan Littauer."

1199SEIU members will return to bargaining on December 23. Their contract expires on December 31.