The Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State is circulating a petition for religious leaders to sign:
“We write to you as faith leaders from the Capital District out of our moral obligation and concern for the patients at Albany Medical Center (AMC), the registered nurses that organized to be represented by the New York State Nurses Association over a year ago, and our broader community.
“We are deeply concerned about the impact of prolonged contract negotiations on patient safety. Registered nurses at AMC are on the front lines of patient care, and we continue to hear from them about how short-staffing compromises their ability to give quality care.
“In fact, the number one reason nurses have given for organizing is their desire to have an equal say in how patient care is handled within Albany Medical Center.
“We are also concerned that registered nurses at AMC continue to be under-compensated relative to their peers around the state. As the largest employer in our region, AMC’s wages have ripple effects throughout our community.
“We have watched the impressive growth of the hospital over the last several years and we believe it is only right that nurses – and every worker in the hospital – benefit from AMC‘s recent success.
“Finally, we are disturbed by statements and actions by AMC management opposing the unionization of their workforce. Workers have a fundamental right to organize, and AMC nurses made their wishes clear when they voted 2-to-1 to unionize. AMC must respect their decision and bargain in good faith.”
From Daily Kos
Read about AMC’s union-busting tactics: A Boss is a Boss: Nurses Battle for Their First Union Contract at Albany Medical Center by Lawrence S Wittner.
“Albany Medical Center plays a critical role in our community as a leading employer, health care provider and non-profit institution. For this reason, settling a fair contract is urgent not only for AMC patients and workers but for our whole region.
“We, the undersigned urge the board to have a serious conversation with Acting CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna about settling the registered nurses’ union contract in the spirit of protecting patient care and respecting workers’ right to organize.”
If you would like to support Albany Medical Center nurses but are not a religious leader, sign the petition of the New York State Nurses Association right HERE.
“When it comes to patient care, nurses know better than bureaucrats. Tell incoming CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna and the AMC board of directors that we need safe staffing and a fair contract now!”
