Flushing nurses set to strike Feb. 7

The nurses’ contract expired on Dec. 31, but negotiations have been going on for over a year, according to Genovese. The RNs voted overwhelmingly last Friday to authorize a strike and a federally required 10-day notice of intent to strike was filed Monday night with the National Labor Relations Board.

About 100 nurses, dressed in red for solidarity, picketed the Flushing facility on Jan. 5 and were joined by state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) who supports their demands.

“We’re not asking for anything out of the ordinary,”said Theresa McGorty, an RN at Flushing Hospital and co-chairperson of the bargaining team. “We just need to be able to recruit and retain professional registered nurses by keeping us in line with other facilities.”

The major bones of contention are health insurance, whose costs to the nurses would increase by $4,800 a year, and a lower-level pension plan, amounting to $150,000 less in retirement income.

“The nurses don’t take going out on strike lightly,” Genovese said. “They just want to protect their quality of life.”

Michael Hinck, spokesman for Flushing Hospital, released the following statement: “Flushing Hospital Medical Center will resume its negotiations with NYSNA next week. Flushing Hospital seeks to reach a fair agreement with its staff who are members of NYSNA.” Genovese responded with: “The goal is to win a fair contract. We hope to resolve it at the table.”

Nurses at the hospital threatened to strike in 2006 and held informational pickets, but the hospital eventually came to terms, also over health and pension benefits.