Bronx midwives vote to join nurses union

New York City, April 23, 2009 – On April 21, nurse midwives working for both Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital voted to join the New York State Nurses Association. The midwives will now be able to provide better health care to underserved pregnant women in the Bronx. This is the first bargaining unit comprised exclusively of midwives in NYSNA’s history.

“I’m looking for job security during these difficult economic times, and that’s why I voted yes,” said Susan Tanke, a Jacobi Medical Center midwife.

Within NYSNA, the midwives are looking for pay parity with other New York City midwives, job security and a voice in their workplace.

“I voted yes because we need to band together to provide a united front for our voices to be heard,” said Marylyne Charles, a midwife at Jacobi Medical Center.

The midwives are employed by the New York Medical Alliance (NYMA). If NYMA does not file any objections within seven days, a certification will be issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The midwives will then have a chance to begin working on their first contract.

Maria Freytsis, a midwife at North Central Bronx Hospital, said “I voted yes to preserve the future of our unique and long-standing midwifery service dedicated to caring for the women of the Bronx.”

NYSNA already represents 838 professional registered nurses at Jacobi Medical Center, and 335 at North Central Bronx Hospital. NYSNA has over 8,000 RNs as members within the New York City public hospitals of the Health and Hospitals Corporation.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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