Negotiation Update – January 26, 2017

As you know, your collective bargaining agreement with LIJ Valley Stream (LIJVS) expired on December 31, 2016. While we have been working hard to negotiate with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) over 14 bargaining sessions, there are still major issues outstanding. When we met with NYSNA last Thursday, we began the day by proposing a comprehensive package that included significant modifications to our health and pension proposals, as well as agreeing to some of the union’s outstanding proposals.

Perhaps our greatest disappointment throughout these negotiations is NYSNA’s refusal to provide a counter-proposal to the LIJVS wage proposal presented on October 27. It has been three months and NYSNA continues to maintain a wage proposal that provides for less than a 0.5% increase for a substantial number of nurses. While NYSNA may believe it is fair to shortchange such a large number of nurses, LIJVS is committed to providing ALL of its nurses with a fair wage increase.  The nurses at LIJVS have not had a wage increase in over a year, and unless and until a settlement is reached, that period of time will become even longer.

We are hopeful that NYSNA will finally provide a counter-proposal on wages and the remainder of our comprehensive package at our next session on February 8.

We remain optimistic that after our next session, LIJVS will be able to report that progress has been made toward reaching a final tentative settlement. Please continue to check your email for updates, and if you have any questions about the negotiations, do not hesitate to speak with your manager or site human resources department.