Massena Memorial nurses picket over security concerns

MASSENA - Carol A. Wheeler was working at Massena Memorial Hospital the night a man fatally shot himself there last November.

Ms. Wheeler was one of two registered nurses in the hospital’s emergency room that night, along with a physician and two clerks. She has since continued to work nights, but the incident prompted her to advocate additional security at the facility.

“We watch cardiac monitors. We take care of patients. There should be a front line before us,” she said. “We’re their front line.”

Ms. Wheeler was one of about two dozen registered nurses who protested a perceived lack of MMH security at an informational picket Thursday afternoon.

The New York State Nurse’s Association and the hospital have yet to agree to a new contract for the nurses to replace the old one which expired Dec. 31. A continuing point of disagreement in the contract is hospital security.

In December, the hospital board of managers voted 11-1 to approve $19,535 for new security measures following the Nov. 19 suicide and a criminal mischief incident that same day.

Officials said the improvements would include new surveillance cameras and related software, lock down buttons and pendants that staff members can push to contact the Massena Police Department.

The protesting nurses were not convinced the measures would solve their concerns.

“It isn’t going to save us from a patient that’s attacking us,” said Cathy M. Thomas, a nurse at the hospital for 24 years. “We do support what they do have planned ... They’re all good ideas but it’s not enough.”

“Some nurses would feel safer having a security guard,” she added.

Many nurses attending the picket bundled up in red NYSNA hats and held up signs at Maple Street and Hospital Drive. Some motorists passing by beeped at the group.

One nurse chanted “Roses are red, violets are blue, safety first, get a clue.” Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, joined the nurses in solidarity for a period of time Thursday afternoon.

The nurses are not demanding the hospital hire a specific number of security guards under the new contract, according to Annie Rutsky, a NYSNA labor representative.

They instead want hospital officials to agree to a workplace violence clause that would ensure “adequate staff” in the ER with skills to handle unruly patients.

The clause was introduced in contract negotiations a month before the pair of November incidents, she said.

“You don’t bargain for people who are not covered under your contract,” she said of security guards.

While the “adequate staff” clause is not specific, it allows for NYSNA to have a say in any further security measures considered, union officials said. Some worried what would happen if they didn’t get that language included.

“We feel if they don’t put something in there, they won’t go further,” RN Bobbi M. Lauber said. “It’s not only the nurses. It’s other staff members and doctors.”

Hospital spokeswoman Tina R. Corcoran previously said safety and security of patients and staff was a top priority for MMH.

She also said security guards and other measures were still being considered. But the hospital was not planning to negotiate for security staff in a nurse’s contract, she said. Mrs. Corcoran could not be reached for further comment Thursday night.

Several of the nurses said the November incidents were just the latest reason to add security staff there. There has been a dramatic change in safety concerns at MMH in 24 years, and “not for the better,” Ms. Thomas said.

“There was so much leading up that,” she said.

Helen E. LePage was the other ER nurse on staff the night of the suicide.

“I think it made us more aware that Massena isn’t as safe as it used to be, that times are changing,” she said. “It was an eye opener.”