| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2001 |
|
|
Registered Nurses Forced On 72-Hour Work Stoppage Nurses at St. John's Mercy Medical Center were forced to begin a 72-hour work stoppage that started at 6:00 a.m. today. In meetings held yesterday, 93% of the RNs voted to accept United Food and Commercial Worker Local 655's negotiating committee's recommendation to reject the hospital's contract proposal and support the work stoppage. The registered nurses have been patiently attempting to reach a fair and equitable contract, one that would ensure quality patient care, with the hospital for 22 months. "We've been forced to take this action because the hospital refuses to take our concerns seriously," said Lisa Nesler, a St. John's RN and member of UFCW Local 655's bargaining committee. "St. John's has to wake up and recognize our dedication and commitment to our patients and the St. Louis community." It is the intention of many of the nurses to maintain all critical care functions during the three-day work stoppage. "Over these past 22 months, we've tried to impress on the hospital that it can't continue to increase patient responsibility for the nurses and maintain quality care. We're reaching a breaking point, and St. John's is turning a blind eye to our situation," said Nesler. "Their proposal is an insult, not just to the nurses but to patients and our community." The nurses have attempted and gotten nowhere with St. John's during the negotiations to make provisions for the hospital to:
The UFCW represents 1.4 million workers, including more than 100,000 health care workers.
UFCW: A Voice for Working America-www.ufcw.org |
|
 |
 |
