Fresenius Nurses, Healthcare Workers Across Metro NYC to Speak Out at Nation's Biggest Dialysis Company Clinic Sites
NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Registered nurses and healthcare workers from Fresenius dialysis clinics will be leafleting on Wednesday, December 16, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm at 21 of the provider's facilities, calling on the largest dialysis company in the U.S. to be fair to its workers. The RNs, members of the New York State Nurses Association, and the healthcare workers, members of 1199/SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, are currently seeking a fair contract from 13 Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) clinics in the NYC area.
FMC, a global company based in Bad Homburg, Germany, reported operating profits from dialysis in the U.S. alone of $1.6 billion in 2014. FMC is seeking to cut benefits of dialysis nurses and healthcare workers in its negotiations in a number of its NYC-area operations. Dialysis patients, who suffer from End Stage Renal Disease, are among the most vulnerable in the patient population. Quality care for these patients is linked to a committed workforce. The two unions have urged FMC to invest in safe, quality care through fair contracts for the nurses and healthcare workers.
"Fresenius needs to step up and do the right thing," said Teresa Schloth, RN, a Fresenius nurse. "We work hard to deliver quality care to our patients. These proposed cuts to our benefits are an insult to us, our patients and the community we serve."
"We are taking a stand against corporate greed," said Kelvin Peña, equipment technician at Nephrocare Inc., a Fresenius holding. "Fresenius wants to squeeze profits out of its employees by switching us to a more expensive health plan with inferior coverage. Fresenius is a multi-billion dollar global company with more than enough resources to make sure its staff has the coverage to remain healthy. We can't allow companies like Fresenius to short-change workers locally to make profits globally."
*** Nurses and healthcare workers will be available to the press at TWO LOCATIONS: in Brooklyn and Bronx listed below.
WHO: Registered Nurses of the New York State Nurses Association
Healthcare Workers of 1199/SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
WHAT: Leafleting at Fresenius Medical Care Clinics in Metro NYC
WHEN: Wednesday, December 16 - 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
WHERE: Brooklyn: NephroCare West, 362 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Bronx: Montefiore Dialysis Center IV, 1695 Eastchester Rd., Bronx, NY 10461
SOURCE New York State Nurses Association
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