New York State Nurses Association
REPORT: December 2002
NYSNA Disciplines Nurses Who Crossed Strike Line
What could be more hurtful to RNs on strike for better staffing than to watch other nurses cross the picket line and help management hold out? Only one thing is worse, and that's if those nurses are members of your own union.
Responding to complaints from members who had watched colleagues undermine the strength of their bargaining unit's labor activities, the Voting Body took action. In October 2000, by a vote of 362 - 44, members amended NYSNA bylaws to strengthen disciplinary action against scabs.
New Bylaw Imposes Fines:
The first nurses affected by that change crossed the strike line at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown during the second longest strike in NYSNA history. The walkout, which ran from November 26, 2001 to March 9, 2002, ended in a sweeping victory for the striking nurses.
Those NYSNA members who crossed the picket line inevitably benefit from what the strikers won. At St. Catherine's that included a contract that limits mandatory overtime, enforces RN-to-patient staffing guidelines, and provides retirement health coverage. But under the new disciplinary process, the scabs will lose the benefits of membership in NYSNA. They cannot run for any leadership position, vote on any contracts or in NYSNA elections, or receive member discounts on goods and services.
They are barred from NYSNA membership for two years and must also pay a fine of $500 if they wish to be reinstated at the end of that period. All fines paid by the disciplined nurses will go to the NYSNA Protected Action Fund, which supports bargaining unit activities during a labor dispute. Names of the members who have been barred are published at the website and will be published in the Report newsletter.