Members Of The New York State Nurses Association And Healthcare Workers With 1199SEIU Call On Global Billion Dollar Healthcare Corporation To Make Patient Care The Priority - Not Profits

Hundreds of workers across Brooklyn, the Bronx and Westchester held a one-day strike at seven dialysis clinics owned and operated by Fresenius, the largest dialysis corporation nationwide. The multi-national corporation based in Germany has refused to give direct care workers a say in quality of patient care issues, it has refused to allow nurses to be advocates for the patients, and it has refused to negotiate in good faith for fair contracts

Fresenius' annual profits totaled $1 billion last year, from the provision of dialysis services and products to patients with end-stage renal failure. Worldwide, Fresenius employees 110,530 workers with 60,000 of them in clinics across the U.S. Yet, Fresenius has committed unfair labor practices in negotiation of its contracts with both unions in New York.

"Everything we do is for our patients, but this company doesn't even want to hear our feedback on patient care. We are there to advocate for our patients. That's why getting out our message is so important," said Gloria O'Neill, RN, NYSNA Member who works at the Cobble Hill Fresenius location.

"I am here to support my other brothers and sisters in this cry for better wages as well as better quality care for patients and staff. We need fair wages, we need quality care for staff and patients, and we want Fresenius to know that they can't get away with their tactics," said Kathleen Dodard from 1199/SEIU.

Fresenius' labor troubles are global, and a NYSNA nurse recently went to Germany to express solidarity with striking Fresenius workers in that country. Union members in Germany sit on the company's board of directors and are planning to highlight the problems affecting patients in New York at the July Board Meeting.

The one-day strike took place at six of the seven Fresenius locations including:

• Nephro Care Inc.- 1402 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
• Atlantic Peritoneal Dialysis- 61 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, New York 11201
• Nephro Care West- 362 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215
• Soundshore Dialysis- 16 Guion Pl, New Rochelle, NY 10801
• Montefiore Dialysis Center III- 1325 Morris Park Ave., Bronx NY 10461
• Montefiore Dialysis Center IV- 1776 Eastchester Rd., Bronx NY 10461

SOURCE New York State Nurses Association