Earlier this month, nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, SMC and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica voted to authorize a strike Sept. 1, according to the New York State Nurses Association.
The union, which represents the workers, said a 10-day notice was officially delivered to management at all three hospitals calling for a one-day walkout at St. Elizabeth and SMC as well as a two-day walkout at NLH.
In light of this news, SMC has notified the NYSNA of its plans to hire temporary workers. Additionally, the hospital said nurses in the bargaining unit represented by the union will not be permitted to work from 7 a.m. Sept. 1 through 6:59 a.m. Sept. 12 unless an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
“We want to reach an agreement and settle this contract as quickly as possible, rather than allowing these negotiations to continue indefinitely with the possibility of future interruptions in patient care,” Krista A. Kittle, SMC spokeswoman, said in a statement.
She added, “Though this is a difficult situation, our community can be reassured that our doors will be open, and we will be properly and safely staffed throughout this period.”
At this time, the next negotiating session for SMC nurses is scheduled for Aug. 24.
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