NYSNA Nurses Deliver Strike Notice at Northwell Health’s South Shore University Hospital

Photos From the Action Available Here 

Bay Shore, NY— Approximately 800 NYSNA nurses at South Shore University Hospital / Northwell Health are planning to strike. Nurses have been at the bargaining table demanding safe staffing and fair wages that will help recruit and retain nurses.

On Feb. 3 approximately 99% of South Shore nurses voted to authorize a strike after seeing little progress in negotiations. This morning, nurses marched on the boss and delivered a strike notice, as hospital executives are still far from where they need to be to settle a fair contract that protects patient care. The notice means that approximately 800 nurses will go on strike beginning 13 days from now, on Monday, Feb. 27 unless they can reach a fair contract agreement before then. NYSNA RNs hope to bargain as much as possible between now and Feb. 27 to reach an agreement.

The notice gives hospitals time to plan care for patients while nurses are on strike. But the best way for management to protect patients is to listen to nurses and settle fair contracts that protect patient care in the next 13 days.

Nancy Hagans, RN, President of the New York State Nurses Association, said: “In 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic battered New York, Northwell Health ranked #2 in all of New York health systems in salaries, bonuses, and perks to top executives. This contract is our opportunity to advocate for what's right for Northwell’s nurses and patients. And all 42,000 of our members have their back.”

NYSNA local president at South Shore University Hospital Chrysse Blau, RN, stated: "South Shore was one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic on Long Island. Nurses were called frontline heroes for our work, and we’ve continued to work non-stop to deliver the quality care our community needs. With the current tri-demic, the hospital continues to have an influx of patients and not enough nurses to care for them. Northwell needs to come to the table and deliver a fair contract that guarantees the safe staffing levels and the respect nurses deserve, so we can deliver the care our community deserves."

Last week, NYSNA launched an advertising campaign highlighting Northwell Health’s focus on profits for executives over patient care. With digital ads and a mobile billboard, nurses are turning up the pressure on Northwell to respect its nurses and community.