‘Strike is our last resort’

By Alex P. Vidal

“I was a very good nurse, but I burned out after eight years or so because it wasn’t what I truly wanted to do. Writing is what I belong to.”—Sue Monk Kidd

THE dilemma Pinay nurse Regina and her fellow nurses in a Manhattan private hospital’s neonatal ICU are facing sounds familiar and is, in fact, similar to the dilemma of nurses in the hospitals of countries—including the Philippines and UK—hit hard by the pandemic these past two years.

It’s working conditions or nurse to patient ratios and staffing levels necessary to prevent the burnout that drives nurses away from the profession.

The ratio numbers they want vary by facility and department, but as an example right now they are caring for twice as many babies as they should be, lamented Regina, who refused to reveal her complete name as she was not authorized to speak on behalf of the 12,000 New York nurses who threaten to strike on January 9 (Monday).

Regina, et al have given notice they will walk off the job Monday if agreements are not reached.

The union, where Regina belongs, said in a statement over the weekend: “Striking is always a last resort, but nurses say they are prepared to strike if hospital administration gives them no other option to protect their patients and their practice.”

Nurses with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) overwhelmingly authorized a strike in late December. The nurses at seven New York hospitals delivered strike notices to their hospitals on December 30 and are planning to walk out on January 9.

Regina and her fellow nurses have been required to give 10 days notice before going on strike in New York.

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If nurses hit the picket lines January 9, authorities fear facilities will divert a majority of ambulances, cancel some elective surgeries and transfer patients to other hospitals.

Some of the hospitals have reportedly taken dramatic steps as a precaution.

Mount Sinai West is one of four Mount Sinai campuses in the city taking those steps. Mount Sinai is still negotiating, but at the same time bracing for the impact of its nurses potentially striking, according to ABC 7’s Eyewitness News.

Two of the three Mount Sinai hospitals will only perform emergency surgeries. The hospital will also begin to transfer and discharge “as many patients as appropriate.”

“In addition, this sadly means transferring NICU babies outside the Mount Sinai Health System to ensure they get the care they so desperately need,” read a memo.

The NYSNA has urged the remaining five hospitals to reach new contracts, taking aim at one in particular, accusing it of paying its executives nearly $28 million in salaries, bonuses and perks at the height of the pandemic.

“If Montefiore can afford to pay its executives so much, they can hardly cry broke,” said NYSNA president Nancy Hagans.

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International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia pocketed the top honors in the Sir Herky Del Mundo Memorial Open Rapid Chess Tournament held at the 2nd floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, according to our regular informant, US chess master Marlon Bernardino.

Bernardino said Garcia, program manager of the Ateneo de Manila University chess team, collected 6.5 points on six wins and a draw to win the FIDE rapid seven-round tournament, backed by FIDE Master Anton Paolo Del Mundo in close cooperation with Mam China Aurelio and Mam Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen.

The tournament was organized by Bayanihan Chess Club and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. The Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation supervised it.

“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the talented players – ‘Cream of the Crop of Philippine Chess’. I just tried to play my best and I am satisfied with the result,” Bernardino quoted Garcia, who is fresh from a runner-up (2nd rank) finish in the recently concluded GMG Open Rapid Chess Tournament last Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the same venue.

Garcia pocketed the top prize of P10,000 and a gold medal. Garcia scored victories over Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Racasa in the first round, Arena Grandmaster Joselito Asi in the second round, Jerry Areque in the third round, International Master Ricardo De Guzman in the fourth round, International Master Ronald Dableo in the sixth round and National Master Mark Jay Bacojo in the seventh and final round.

He drew with Joseph Lawrence Rivera in the fifth round.

International Master Richilieu Salcedo III, Dableo, Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr., Bacojo, De Guzman were tied at 2nd to 6th places with 6.0 points each. Making it to the list of top ten performers were International Master Daniel Quizon (7th), Rivera (8th), FIDE Master Jeth Romy Morado (9th) and International Master Barlo Nadera (10th).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)