Today: Nurses at Plainview Hospital/Northwell Health to Hold Informational Picket Demanding Safe Staffing, Fair Wages, and a Fair Contract

For immediate release: Thursday, September 1 
Media Contact: Anna Bakalis, NYSNA Communications Director, 917-239-6373

Today: Nurses at Plainview Hospital/Northwell Health to Hold Informational Picket Demanding Safe Staffing, Fair Wages, and a Fair Contract 

Plainview, NY – As Northwell Health executives put on a good show for judges who are at the Plainview Hospital this week to consider the hospital for Magnet status – an honor bestowed upon hospitals that greatly value nurses– those same nurses are battling for a fair contract with safe staffing ratios. 

NYSNA nurses will escalate that battle today, when they hold an informational picket in front of the hospital today, September 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Nurses are demanding that Plainview and its parent company, Northwell Health, come to the table and negotiate a fair contract that includes safe staffing levels, fair wages and quality and affordable retiree healthcare. 

“We need management to hear us today: We need safe staffing ratios in our contract!” said Sherry Bloom, RN, and president of the bargaining unit. “We need fair wages to keep up with inflation and to recruit and retain nurses.” 

This week, Northwell/Plainview is being visited by a Magnet Recognition Program which, if awarded to the hospital, is meant to help patients identify hospitals where they can find satisfied nurses and expect to receive a higher level of care.  

This picket comes days after nurses at Syosset Hospital also held an informational picket demanding Northwell Health negotiate a fair contract for nurses. Nurses at Plainview Hospital and Syosset Hospital join the over 30,000 NYSNA members who will be bargaining contracts for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic 

NYSNA nurses at Northwell/Plainview are demanding that key issues be addressed in this contract, including proposals that reflect:

• Safe staffing with guaranteed contract language with safe staffing ratios of 1:6 to provide safe, quality patient care.
• Competitive wages to recruit and retain nurses; wages that recognize and respect the work the nurses perform during the ongoing pandemic.
• Quality and affordable retiree health benefits. Nurses have dedicated their life to ensuring the health of the community they care for. It is time for Northwell/Plainview to recognize that dedication and commit to the health of the nurses.
• No mandated inter-facility re-assignments. 

Press Event Details: 

WHO:  Nurses, Senator John Brooks, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine, Nassau County Legislator Arnie Drucker and other labor, elected and community supporters. One-on-one media interviews with nurses, elected leaders and allies. 
WHERE:  Plainview Hospital/ Northwell Health, 888 Old Country Rd, Plainview, NY 11803
WHEN:  Thursday, September 1 
PICKET TIME:  12:00 – 2:00 p.m. 
SPEAKER PROGRAM: 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. 
VISUALS:  Nurses chanting and marching with signs in front of the hospital.  

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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, visit nysna.org.