Nurses ask Canton-Potsdam Hospital to listen to concerns

Last week, the New York State Nurses Association ran a series of newspaper ads asking readers to contact David Acker, president and CEO of Canton-Potsdam Hospital, and tell him to listen to his nurses: Don't freeze the RNs' pensions. However, the pension is not the only issue in our current round of contract negotiations with CPH.

CPH prides itself on its commitment to providing superior care to north country patients. Delivering that level of care depends on RNs' compassion, dedication and competence. In contract talks, we proposed that the hospital reduce the patient load for new graduate RNs, who need guidance and experience to reach their full potential. We want patients to be safe, and new graduates to be set up to succeed, not to be stressed and overwhelmed. The hospital refused to reduce their load, contending that doing so would create staffing and scheduling issues for management. How does that attitude represent the hospital's focus on and commitment to patient care?

We are hardworking professionals who deserve better treatment and respect than what CPH has displayed during contract talks. When we asked why the hospital wants to freeze our pension, hospital officials told us that they want to "reallocate resources to other needs." Moreover, the hospital told us that freezing our pension would not "save the institution money."

We ask that Canton-Potsdam Hospital address issues that contribute to recruitment and retention problems - including preserving the RNs' pension and reducing new RNs' patient assignment in a responsive and respectful manner. Offer us a contract that supports nurses. Each step toward creating a positive work environment for CPH nurses now may help recruit new nurses and retain experienced nurses in the future. We promise to continue to provide our patients with excellent care. We ask CPH to provide us with respect.

Michael Pinkerton

Canton