NYSNA RNs march & rally with Verizon strikers

On May 5 in New York City, NYSNA nurses joined more than 2,000 strikers from CWA and IBEW and their supporters for a massive march and rally.

Jalisa Saud, RN at Coney Island Hospital, addressed the crowd on behalf of NYSNA nurses.

“I am here on behalf of the 39,000 nurses of NYSNA to tell you that the nurses are with you,” said Ms. Saud. “Take it from a nurse: Verizon’s greed makes us sick.”

In addition to our NYSNA contingent, other unionized workers from across New York City joined the rally to show solidarity, including members of the Hotel Trades Council, SEIU Local 32BJ, 1199SEIU, District Council 37, RWDSU Local 338, the Teamsters, the Transport Workers Union, and the American Postal Workers Association.

CWA President Chris Shelton spoke at the rally about the need for workers to unite together to fight back against corporate greed. “This is not just a strike against Verizon,” said Shelton. “This is a strike because this country’s lords and corporations have decided they want to get rid of unions. It’s about every person with a union card. It’s about every person who works for a living.”

The march and rally in Lower Manhattan was part of a nationwide day of action with pickets and rallies in cities across the country in support of the nearly 40,000 Verizon workers on strike to save middle class jobs. It was the same day that Verizon executives held a shareholder meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where 15 strikers and supporters were arrested for civil disobedience.