BY RUTH NEBBIA
BROOKLYN, New York - "No Contract, No Real Nurses," "Until they talk, we will walk. If they don't talk, we will walk," and "We care for patients, who cares for us?" chanted 50 of the more than 600 nurses on strike against the Maimonides Medical Center.

Members of the New York State Nurses Association, who have been negotiating for a new contract since October, walked out March 30. Maimonides is Brooklyn's second-largest hospital.

Joanne Palmorico, 42 and a nurse at Maimonides for 18 years, explained that the biggest issue of the strike is the proposed cut of long-term medical care the nurses won during their last contract, and for which they gave up six hours of sick leave.

"We're supposed to provide care but they don't want to give us care," she said. Maimonides also "wants to float nurses from one department to another, but a nurse from one area may not be familiar in treating patients with illnesses in another area of the hospital."

"The nurses are trying to stand together," Palmorico said, "because if they can do it here, they can do it elsewhere. Just because we are women doesn't mean they can mess around with us."

Pepi Hofman, 46 and an orthopedic nurse for 20 years, agreed. She said that nurses specialize in areas of care, and floating them could be detrimental to the patients.

"Other unions have come out to support us," said Carmen Lazarini, 50, who works in the medical unit. "The teachers came out today, [Hospital Workers Local] 1199, Lynch College nurses, nurses from Brooklyn Hospital and from other New York hospitals, and other unions."

Among the issues in the contract dispute are cuts in uniform allowance and requiring nurses to pay more for employee parking. "This makes it harder for many nurses," explained Lazarini, who has 17 years at Maimonides, "because many are single with children."

"We're not asking for anything unfair, otherwise other unions would not back us," Lazarini told the Militant. "We have been without a raise for four years and they are asking for two more years without a raise."

"We want a contract," stated Rose Apura, 34 and a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. She emphasized that the main concern for the nurses is the proposed cuts in medical benefits.

Maimonides was prepared to break the strike, busing in replacement nurses from the first day. The hospital administration has also accused nurses of sabotaging some of the equipment. "They say we damaged some equipment," one nurse who wished not to be identified told the Militant, "but we reported that equipment damaged months ago."

At the picket line, strikers handed out a flier to passersby asking the backing of the community, and many cars honked in support.

Representatives of the Teamsters who drive for UPS are reported to have stopped by with a $60 donation to the strike fund, which was then used to buy pizzas for the nurses on the line.

"We are impressed and inspired by your courage to do what is necessary, in spite of the difficulty of making a decision such as you did," reads a letter of support from the Committee of Interns and Residents passed out at the picket line. "Your strike sends a strong message throughout the healthcare community that employees cannot be downsized, discarded, and disregarded as hospitals strive to improve their financial position in the `market.' "

The strikers are planning a solidarity rally for April 14.

Ruth Nebbia is a member of United Transportation Union Local 1447.  
 
 
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