Less than 30 nurses crossed the picket line during the course of the strike. "Fifty-four voted against the strike, but only half that went in," Cavallo said. "And many of those who were initially against the strike became the most militant fighters. They stopped looking at just their department and saw what we were all up against."

Hundreds of the nurses along with family members and other supporters enthusiastically celebrated the successful conclusion of the strike before returning to work, at a spirited party and dance at the Windham Watch Hotel here on March 15. Many of the nurses wore the red sweatshirts they had made their trademark on the picket lines and other strike activities.

"We are one incredible bargaining unit," Barbara Crane, head of the New York State Nurses Association unit at St. Catherine, told the gathering to loud applause.

The main demands of the nurses in the strike were an end to mandatory overtime and improved nurse-to-patient ratios. Instead of hiring additional staff, the hospital often forced nurses to work double shifts to fill anticipated gaps in the schedule. The new contract only allows the hospital to force nurses to work overtime in emergencies and includes a financial disincentive over and above time-and-a-half when overtime is required. A unit-by-unit schedule of staffing guidelines is still to be negotiated.

A number of the nurses pointed out that concern for patient care was at the heart of their demands. "We didn't deserve to be treated the way we were," Holly Meduri, a delivery room nurse, noted, "but neither do our patients." Meduri explained that nurses at the hospital had in the past won input into staffing ratios but that this, along with thousands of dollars in accrued personal and vacation time, overtime incentives, and pensions, were lost when the current owners bought the hospital two years ago.

Under the three-year contract, base salaries will increase 5 percent each year. Beginning in January 2003, nurses who retire between the ages of 60 and 65 and who have at least 20 years of service, will receive $2,500 per year to purchase health insurance until they are eligible for Medicare. Previously, retired nurses received no health insurance.

Several nurses noted that the hospital can still try to get around some of the provisions on overtime and staffing. "My biggest fear is that we'll go back and nothing will have changed," Laura Crespolini said. "We'll have to work to make them stick to the contract," another nurse, who asked that her name not be used, added.

In addition to daily picketing at the hospital, the nurses organized many special events, including a candlelight vigil, rallies, protests at the corporate offices of Catholic Health of Long Island, and a parade on February 16 of 1,000 people through downtown Smithtown to the hospital.

The nurses also held almost weekly union meetings to discuss the strike. Many came to observe the negotiating sessions between the company and the union. Daily strike bulletins were e-mailed out to each nurse by Barbara Crane.

Nurse after nurse pointed to the confidence they had gained through the strike. "I'm very proud to have been a part of this," commented Marilyn Alter.

Sara Lobman is a member of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 342-50 in Farmingdale, New York.  
 
 
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