St. Charles' Nurses Union Votes On Potential Strike: Report

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — The 300-plus member nurses' union at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson will vote through Thursday on the possibility of a strike, union leaders from the New York State Nurses Association told Newsday.

The union's contract expired on March 31, and leaders are advocating for a faster arbitration process when agreed-upon patient-to-nurse ratios are exceeded, as well as salary increases over the next three years, the outlet reported.

If a strike is approved, the measure would allow the nurses to give a 10-day notice, according to the outlet.

Patch has reached out to the union for comment.

In a statement to Patch, a spokeswoman Michelle Pipia-Stiles said that hospital officials have attended 10 bargaining sessions with the nurses' union "and has made significant offers on wages, staffing, and other important topics."

"The hospital remains committed to meeting with NYSNA, continuing to bargain in good faith, and achieving a fair contract," Pipia-Stiles said.

St. Charles is one of five hospitals, including Stony Brook University Hospital, Mather Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center, and Long Island Community Hospital, that serves the highly-populated region of Brookhaven Town.