St. Catherine of Siena Hospital nurses voting on potential strike
Nurses at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown opened voting Wednesday to determine whether they will authorize a strike as they fight for a new contract with higher pay and improved nurse staffing.
The New York State Nurses Association has about 400 members at the hospital, which is part of Catholic Health. Voting will be open through 8 p.m. Friday, and if the union opts to approve a strike, it will provide a 10-day notice to the hospital.
“We didn’t want to have to take this step, but nurses made a commitment that we would do whatever it takes for patient safety and a fair contract,” Tammy Miller, a registered nurse and NYSNA union president at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, said in a statement. “We are tired of begging to get the safe staffing levels and improved wages we need to retain nurses at St. Catherine.”