POUGHKEEPSIE – Union workers
at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie continued their informational
picketing on Wedneday, expressing concern for staff shortages.
The workers, members of 1199SEIU say because of those low levels, it is taxing their ability to do their jobs well.
Chiquita Cody, a 33-year surgical tech at the hospital, said workers are being overtaxed.
“We are doubling our calls and working 15-, 16-hour shifts and it’s really, really tiring to us to have to work like this,” Cody said.
Another worker, Adele Harrison, said they are being pressured to do more.
“Yesterday I was spoken to for not going to help on another part of the unit when I was covering my own side,” Harrison said. “I would like Vassar to step up their game for safe staffing for our patients so we can give good, safe, loving care to our patients.”
Hospital spokesman John Nelson said Vassar’s “number one priority is quality, patient-centered care.” The hospital has seen an increase in the number of patients and “to meet those needs, we are adding positions and actively recruiting for additional staff,” Nelson said.
