Workers at Staten Island (N.Y.) University Hospital picketed Oct. 2 to protest what they say is a push by hospital management to decertify recently unionized physician assistants, according to The Chief-Leader.
Service Employees International Union's Local 1199 contends that hospital management, New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, has been trying to get the physician assistants to decertify and refused to allow the workers to participate in the union's benefit funds, the newspaper reported. The physician assistants voted to join the union in April.
A Northwell spokesperson told The Chief-Leader the union and hospital management met five times since negotiations started in June, and Northwell is "committed to working with the union to resolve any outstanding issues and reach a fair contract."