The employer has not contributed to the workers’ contractually required health benefits for the past two and half months
Where: Nyack Hospital, 160 N. Midland Ave, Nyack -- at the 9W entrance
What: Candlelight Vigil, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Background: The collective bargaining agreement between members of 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East at Nyack Hospital and their employer expired on April 30. They have been negotiating a successor agreement since that time, with no settlement in sight.
Recently it was learned that the employer has not paid into the members’ Health Benefit Fund in the last two and a half months. As long as contract negotiations are in process, the employer is legally bound to continue to accept the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining that has been in place for the last 3 years. That includes providing 1199SEIU members with their health benefits.
1199SEIU Executive Vice President Maria Kercado said, “We are grateful that as far as we know, no member has been turned down for care when they have gone to the doctor—yet. Our concern is to make sure that never happens. The hospital must take responsibility immediately and pay the Fund what it is owed. Those types of financial risks cannot be taken on the backs of the people who keep the hospital running. I think it’s clear that healthcare workers are the backbone of any healthcare institution –no matter how advanced some technology might be.”
The purpose of the candlelight vigil is to inform the community about the current situation at the hospital. Most of the workers live in or around Nyack, and they and their families and friends count on the hospital for their healthcare. There are two hundred and fifty 1199SEIU members in the bargaining unit. Many of them have been working at the hospital for decades.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
Where: Nyack Hospital, 160 N. Midland Ave, Nyack -- at the 9W entrance
What: Candlelight Vigil, Interviews and Photo Opportunities Available
Background: The collective bargaining agreement between members of 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East at Nyack Hospital and their employer expired on April 30. They have been negotiating a successor agreement since that time, with no settlement in sight.
Recently it was learned that the employer has not paid into the members’ Health Benefit Fund in the last two and a half months. As long as contract negotiations are in process, the employer is legally bound to continue to accept the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining that has been in place for the last 3 years. That includes providing 1199SEIU members with their health benefits.
1199SEIU Executive Vice President Maria Kercado said, “We are grateful that as far as we know, no member has been turned down for care when they have gone to the doctor—yet. Our concern is to make sure that never happens. The hospital must take responsibility immediately and pay the Fund what it is owed. Those types of financial risks cannot be taken on the backs of the people who keep the hospital running. I think it’s clear that healthcare workers are the backbone of any healthcare institution –no matter how advanced some technology might be.”
The purpose of the candlelight vigil is to inform the community about the current situation at the hospital. Most of the workers live in or around Nyack, and they and their families and friends count on the hospital for their healthcare. There are two hundred and fifty 1199SEIU members in the bargaining unit. Many of them have been working at the hospital for decades.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
