NYSNA Update: December 6
Bronx Midwives Speak Out and Rally for a Fair Contract
NYSNA Physician Affiliated Group of New York (PAGNY) midwives working at NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) in the Bronx held a rally and speak-out, making their voices heard for safe staffing, pay parity and a fair contract. Midwives at NYC H+H/Jacobi and North Central Bronx play a critical role in providing maternal and reproductive healthcare in the Bronx. However, they currently struggle with understaffing and the pressure to care for too many patients in too short a time. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson; Senator Nathalia Fernandez; Assembly Members Michael Benedetto and John Zaccaro, Jr.; and City Council Member Pierina Sanchez joined nurses. Together, they called on PAGNY and NYC H+H to deliver the resources needed to continue reducing health disparities in the Bronx. The midwives have shared their message in the New York Amsterdam News, and their speak-out gained traction in The Chief-Leader.
Nurses Clap Back at Albany Med’s Supposed “Last, Best, and Final Offer”
In Tuesday’s bargaining session, Albany Medical Center nurses received what CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna called his “last, best, and final offer.” The next day, he held a press conference touting this ultimatum, further disrespecting nurses by kicking them out of the room. The latest offer doesn’t do nearly enough to give the nurses the respect they deserve, and his bullying tactics are an attempt to distract from the ongoing staffing crisis at the hospital and plans to cut nursing staff and services at the South Clinical Campus. Nurses response to the hospital’s public relations ploy was featured on CBS 6, News 10 ABC, WNYT and WAMC.
Albany Med nurses know there is more bargaining left to do before they agree to a contract. They will not stop until they get the contract with the enforceable ratios, benefits and wages they and their patients deserve. All of NYSNA is in solidarity with Albany Med nurses, because they’ve fought far too hard to settle!
St. Charles Nurses Win Settlement to Fully Staff ED Unit
NYSNA and Catholic Health System’s St. Charles Hospital were able to reach an arbitration settlement for the Emergency Department (ED) unit. The ED unit has been severely short-staffed, and NYSNA nurses organized to hold the hospital accountable. The hospital was ordered to hire 10 new nurses — a 50% increase for the ED — and to safely staff the unit. The arbitrator gave St. Charles six months to hire, and the hospital agreed to report on its efforts to fill the vacancies at labor management and the clinical staffing meetings and allow one nurse from the ED to attend to receive updates on the recruiting process. This is a tremendous victory for the nurses who have worked tirelessly to deliver quality patient care. Congrats, St. Charles nurses!