(UTICA, NEW YORK) – At the end of this month, the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is planning to open the new Wynn Hospital in Downtown Utica, but according to New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Caregivers, MVHS has failed to reach an agreement with the Hospital’s Nurses who will staff the new hospital.

In addition, Unionized Nurses are upset with proposed wage cuts, increases to health care costs and reductions to retirement contributions.

At the same time, there are 200 vital Staff Nurse positions that remain vacant, creating a potential crisis of care before the new hospital has even opened its doors, Union Officials say.

On Tuesday (October 17th), NYSNA Nurses and Utica City Councilmember Celeste Friend joined with a number of allies from Organized Labor and the community outside Wynn Hospital to also speak out against MVHS’s proposed cuts to Night Shift Differentials, increases to health care premiums and uneven wage scales.

Since Nurses employed at MVHS Hospitals Faxton St. Luke's and St. Elizabeth’s voted in July to merge into one Union, they have been negotiating with Hospital Management over the terms of employment for the merged Bargaining Unit.

Nurses believe cuts to their pay and benefits will make it even more difficult to recruit and retain Nurses.

At a time when there are potentially too few Nurses to deliver quality care in the new hospital, Nurses and their allies raised those concerns and the Nurses’ demand for a fair agreement that respects Utica Nurses and their patients. 

NYSNA, which represents more than 42,000 Members across the State, is New York’s largest Union and Professional Association for Registered Nurses (RNs).

NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the country's largest and fastest-growing Union and Professional Association of RNs, with more than 225,000 Members nationwide.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: Nurses Speak Out Against Wynn Hospital Plan to Open with Too Few Nurses and Proposed Cuts | New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)

And For More, Go To: Nurses Protest Outside New Wynn Hospital | Health | wktv.com

Photo Courtesy Of NYSNA's Facebook Page.