Officials at St. Elizabeth Medical Center have notified the New York State Nurses Association of its intent to lock out nurses on the day of their planned strike on September 1st, and for four days following the strike.

They plan to have temporary replacement nurses at the hospital during the five day period.

“Our actions to put a plan in place to keep temporary nurses at our hospital for five days is not meant to harm our nurses, employees or medical staff at SEMC,” said Scott Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of the Mohawk Valley Health System. “We want the NYSNA bargaining team to come to the table prepared to work on an agreement for our nurses and avoid a strike or a lock out.

The hospital's administration team had hoped that the last two days of negotiations would be more productive. But at the end of Tuesday night's meeting, they say the union refused to move forward on several key issues.

Hospital officials say they want the Nurses Association to actively work to finalize a new, three-year contract.

St. E's has been negotiating with the nurses union for more than 14 months on a new contract.

More From Big Frog 104