As negotiations continue on a new contract between CSEA Local 830 and the Nassau Health Care Corporation, for over 3,400 employees, CSEA continues to turn up the heat on a NHCC management team that has been unreasonable with union members. The contract expires December 31, 2009.

 

“The rat was just the beginning,” CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta said of the rat displayed throughout the month of August in front of NUMC. “We have plans to let the public know of all the irresponsible actions of this NHCC management team, and the consequences that they might very well cause.”

 

These actions include changing nurses shifts from three 12 hour shifts to five 8 hours shifts, which includes mandated overtime, which CSEA believes to be illegal for nurses according to a July 1 law. At least 350 layoffs have been proposed for January 1, 2010, as well as a Request for Proposal on the health care provided to inmates at the jail, currently done by NHCC employees. “We intend to stop any plans for that in the Nassau Legislature,” Laricchiuta said.

 

Laricchiuta spoke at the Legislature on August 10 and outlined these concerns, and how they are and could continue to affect patient care. He also called for a special hearing to be held about NUMC. Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro has granted CSEA’s request to bring in witnesses for public comment in a Health and Social Services committee hearing coming some time in the fall.

 

“We need people to stop turning their head whenever NUMC is brought up,” Laricchiuta said at the Legislature. “Otherwise we could be dealing with much greater consequences.