By Susan Treiman--- The best way to address climate change is to affiliate with, rather than isolate, from other people....
Read More
Healthcare Workers Call on Phelps for Pensions and Other Benefits
• Bookmarks: 233
• Comments: 1
May 2, 2024
By Barrett Seaman–
It wasn’t a picket line in the traditional sense in which people are discouraged from entering a business. But as a show of force, the “informational rally” in front of the main entrance of Phelps Hospital on Wednesday by members of 1199 SEIU, the healthcare workers union, got the desired attention of the hospital’s management, as well as the press and the public.
According to 1199 spokesperson Rose Ryan, about 500 service workers (patient care assistants, drivers, clerks) and 400 registered nurses have been negotiating a new contract for the past 18 months, without discernible progress, they say. Dressed in purple tee shirts and carrying placards, hundreds of union members marched peacefully along the sidewalk with call and response chants of “No pensions? More tension.”
Support our Sponsors
“We have served this community, through COVID and beyond, putting our lives and our family’s lives on the line to provide quality care to our patients,” said Anne Green, a patient care associate at Phelps for 23 years. “Management hailed us as ‘heroes.’ Now, these feel like empty words.”
What they want is what they say other Northwell workers, including those at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, already have: guaranteed pensions instead of the current 401(k) accounts, family health insurance policies with zero premiums, free prescriptions and a fund for career advancement training. According to Ryan, union members “want really nothing more than parity with what other hospitals have.”
In addition to Phelps, 1199 members are also targeting STARS Rehabilitation, another Northwell facility in Bay Shore on Long Island.
For its part, Phelps issued a single statement through spokesman Todd Dezen: “Northwell Health respects the right of 1199 members to engage in informational picketing. This is not a strike and will not interfere with normal operations,” the statement read. “Phelps Hospital will continue to provide the excellent care that our patients depend on. As our negotiations with 1199 continue, we remain committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a final agreement.”
Read or leave a comment on this story...Support our Sponsors
Dark Art of Selection
January 18, 2025
DARK ART OF SELECTION: Don't avoid the Void By Krista Madsen KOTATSU Inauguration Day (Jan 20) squats on my mental calendar as...
Read More
Irvington Students Advance to State Finals with Groundbreaking Science Research
January 17, 2025
Three talented Irvington High School students – seniors Marlo Gordon and Sophie Surguladze and junior Lena Svigals – were recently...
Read More
Dobbs Ferry Junior Reaches 1,000 Point Plateau
January 15, 2025
By Tom Pedulla--- The Dobbs Ferry basketball team typically begins practice at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Assistant coaches open the...
Read More
Dows Lane Second Graders Submit Math Problems to National Contest
January 15, 2025
Dows Lane Elementary School second graders in Mark Rogers’ class recently demonstrated perseverance and creativity as they tackled two- and...
Read More
Fire Causes Damage at Blue Hill at Stone Barns
January 13, 2025
By Rick Pezzullo--- A quick response from firefighters helped limit the damage from a fire that broke out in the...
Read More
Two Local High School Seniors Named Scholars in Science Talent Search
January 9, 2025
By Rick Pezzullo--- Two local high school seniors were among 300 nationwide named as scholars in the annual Regeneron Science...
Read More
Cat Scratch Fever
January 9, 2025
CAT SCRATCH FEVER: What doesn't kill you makes you crazy By Krista Madsen There are various ailments from which I imagine you...
Read More
Jenkins Appointed County Executive Until Feb. Special Election
January 6, 2025
By Rick Pezzullo--- Ken Jenkins was sworn-in as Westchester County’s 10th County Executive Monday after being selected unanimously by the...
Read More
Ardsley High School Unveils Renovated Wellness Center
January 3, 2025
By Rick Pezzullo--- Ardsley High School celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated Wellness Center Friday with a ribbon-cutting...
Read More
Share
Print
One thought on “Healthcare Workers Call on Phelps for Pensions and Other Benefits”
Sorry, comments are closed.