HUNDREDS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF STRIKING NURSES AND OTHER WORKERS AT CORNING

MEMBERS FROM OVER 20 LOCAL UNIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPSWALK THE PICKET LINE <!--break--> HUNDREDS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF STRIKING NURSES AND OTHER WORKERS AT CORNING HOSPITAL MEMBERS FROM OVER 20 LOCAL UNIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPSWALK THE PICKET LINE (Corning)--An estimated 700 strikers, family members, and community supporters braved steady rain to walk the picket line at Corning Hospital today. Striking hospital workers and supporters then rallied in DennisonPark and stayed for a barbecue. "It's just terrific to see all this support from our friends and families." said Renee Leonard, a registered nurse in Corning Hospital's intensive care unit for 9 years. "We are fighting for a true and just cause, and this shows that we will prevail." Union supporters came from over 20 different local unions including United Steelworkers Flint Glass Local 1000, the Corning Teachers Association, IUE/Communications Workers of America Local 81313, Civil Service Employees Association, United Autoworkers, Carpenters, Electricians, and Machinists. "This strike is about keeping what we already have. It's about affordable health care and being able to be with our families." said Beth Fisher, a registered nurse in the obstetrics unit for 14 years. "I love my job and I love my family. I ought to be able to go home after 8 hours work on a holiday. The hospital's trying to take that away." "The hospital is trying to make our community believe this dispute is all about money. It's not. It's about keeping our ability to hire more health care professionals to eliminate short staffing and reduce the amount of overtime so that we can focus on patient care." said Rita Coleman, a radiologic technologist for 24 years. As the work stoppage enters its second week, no talks are currently scheduled. For further information, please contact Bruce Popper at 585-936-5249 (pager).

<p>MEMBERS FROM OVER 20 LOCAL UNIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPSWALK THE PICKET LINE</p> <!--break--><p>HUNDREDS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF STRIKING NURSES AND OTHER WORKERS AT CORNING<br /> HOSPITAL</p> <p>MEMBERS FROM OVER 20 LOCAL UNIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPSWALK THE PICKET LINE</p> <p> (Corning)--An estimated 700 strikers, family members, and community supporters braved steady rain to walk the picket line at Corning Hospital today. Striking hospital workers and supporters then rallied in DennisonPark and stayed for a barbecue.</p> <p> "It's just terrific to see all this support from our friends and families." said Renee Leonard, a registered nurse in Corning Hospital's intensive care unit for 9 years. "We are fighting for a true and just cause, and this shows that we will prevail."</p> <p> Union supporters came from over 20 different local unions including United Steelworkers Flint Glass Local 1000, the Corning Teachers Association, IUE/Communications Workers of America Local 81313, Civil Service Employees Association, United Autoworkers, Carpenters, Electricians, and Machinists.</p> <p> "This strike is about keeping what we already have. It's about affordable health care and being able to be with our families." said Beth Fisher, a registered nurse in the obstetrics unit for 14 years. "I love my<br /> job and I love my family. I ought to be able to go home after 8 hours work on a holiday. The hospital's trying to take that away."</p> <p> "The hospital is trying to make our community believe this dispute is all about money. It's not. It's about keeping our ability to hire more health care professionals to eliminate short staffing and reduce the amount of overtime so that we can focus on patient care." said Rita Coleman, a radiologic technologist for 24 years.</p> <p> As the work stoppage enters its second week, no talks are currently scheduled.</p> <p> For further information, please contact Bruce Popper at 585-936-5249 (pager).</p>