ONEIDA, NY - The nurses that staff Oneida Healthcare Center hit the streets Tuesday, hoping to send a message to their employer. Contract negotiations have stalled and they say management is to blame.
"The problem is that they're willing to give nothing in return. So all we're asking for is for management to come to the table prepared to negotiate. Because so far we don't have a negotiation, what we have is them demanding something," said Mark Genovese, spokesperson for the New York State Nurses Association.
Nurses at the Oneida Healthcare Center are upset with the current negotiations with management over a change in pension plans. On Tuesday they held a rally in front of the health center. Our Jim Gibbons was there to see what outcome they are hoping to achieve.
Currently employees have a defined benefit plan, which gives them an insured retirement plan funded from their employer. But management is looking to change that to a defined contribution plan, which would put the employee in charge of saving for their own retirement.
"They say it's because most people like portable retirement plans now because they move around a lot, which is nice. But if you really want people to stay in one location, it's not really a great benefit," said Cathy Scott, Chairperson for the New York State Nurses Association.
Management declined an on camera interview, but gave this statement.
“We are disappointed that NYSNA has decided to picket because we sincerely believe we have a good offer on the table. We look forward to resuming contract negotiations as soon as possible and hope that a fair and equitable settlement will be reached in the near future, end quote. Nurses say that changing the pension plan will save management money in the long run.”
- Mike Healy, Director of Community Relations Oneida Healthcare Center
"The management is going to see a windfall from the change over in the pension plan, if indeed it happens. But the problem with that is we have no indication from them that they are going to invest this in patient care here," said Genovese.
For now, all either side can do is wait for negotiation talks to continue, before a final decision can be made.