ONEIDA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — For more than a week, Oneida Health Hospital nurses have been working without a new contract. Nurses like Donna Maccarone are being left in the dark.
“By not showing up, we would be putting our own families, our own community in jeopardy by not being there to care for them,” said Maccarone.
The hospital’s last offer came on December 30, offering pay increases nurses say just aren’t enough.
“They gave us an offer, over the next three years of our contract, 1.5%, 2.5% and 3% the final year. The original offers were one and one over the next three years. That doesn’t meet national inflation standards,” Maccarone said.
Last year, the hospital took in 25,000 patients through its 14-bed emergency room, oversaw 500 births and treated over 4,000 people through their in and outpatient facilities.
“It’s a slap in the face. It’s not a respectful offer. We have patients’ lives in our hands every single day,” said Maccarone. “Staffing has been proven to save lives and to protect our patients by being advocates they need.”