PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—More than 100 people rallied here Sept. 14 to call on the University of Vermont
Health Network’s Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital to maintain safe staffing levels. “We believe our patients and community deserve to have the best care possible, not just at their bedside. Right down to their meal preparations and delivery, the cleanliness of our facility, and their movement within the facility to procedures and tests,” clinical assistant Monica Akey told the Plattsburgh Press-Republican. The rally was organized by 1199SEIU United Health Care Workers East to protest staffing cuts, and the New York State Nurses Association joined in solidarity. “Cuts to one union mean cuts to our union and doesn’t allow us to deliver safe patient care,” said NYSNA co-chair Tracey Garvey. The two unions also delivered a petition in support of safe staffing to the hospital’s administration with more than 750 signatures from health-care workers and community members. 1199SEIU filed a complaint against the hospital with the National Labor Relations Board Sept. 7, alleging it had unilaterally changed their contract. Read more
