Long Island Unions Send Letter of Support for Nurses to Northwell CEO Michael Dowling
For immediate release: Feb. 21, 2024
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Diana Moreno| press@nysna.org | 917-327-2302
LONG ISLAND UNIONS SEND LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR NURSES TO NORTHWELL CEO MICHAEL DOWLING
With contract set to expire, the Long Island Federation and approximately 20 labor unions sign on in solidarity with NYSNA nurses negotiating a fair contract
NYSNA nurses also launch campaign to improve hospital staffing and urge Northwell to do the right thing
Bay Shore, N.Y. - In a letter of solidarity with nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Long Island Federation of Labor and approximately 20 labor unions call on Northwell Health to immediately deliver and finalize a fair contract with the 900 nurses at South Shore University Hospital.
The letter acknowledges, “The nurses of NYSNA want what will keep New Yorkers safe. Their priorities include improving patient care through safe staffing; fair wages to recruit and retain nurses; protecting healthcare and retirement; protecting public health by listening to nurses; uplifting communities with good jobs; and responding to community health needs.”
Long Island Federation of Labor President John Durso said: “As a union movement, we continue to stand in solidarity with the nurses at South Shore University Hospital. At a time when hospital executives are making seven figure salaries at Northwell Health, it is unconscionable that the workforce is not provided the wages, benefits, and safe staffing standards they deserve. We call on Northwell Health to bargain in good faith and immediately settle a fair contract for the NYSNA members.”
The nurses’ contract expires on Feb. 28, and instead of bargaining with nurses, Northwell executives unexpectedly walked away from the table on Friday, Feb. 14. They intend to return on Feb. 26 to continue bargaining. The Long Island Federation of Labor mailed the solidarity letter to Northwell CEO Michael Dowling today.
This week, NYSNA launched a community petition and ad campaign to draw attention to nurses’ demands. A mobile billboard has circulated the hospital since Wednesday, and they hit the radio waves with their message.
NYSNA nurse leader at South Shore/ Northwell JoAnne DeAntonio, RN, BSN, CEN, said: “South Shore/Northwell nurses are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract that helps us retain our nurses and care for our community. We’re grateful to have the support and solidarity of our Long Island union siblings who are joining us in demanding that Northwell invest in its nurses and settle a fair contact!”
South Shore nurses are fighting for a fair contract with safe staffing, improved wages and benefits that will help recruit and retain nurses, and a voice in patient care. Staffing issues have been most acute in the emergency department, labor and delivery, medical-surgical and ICU units. Understaffing is especially bad when nurses go on break and managers do not assign break relief nurses to ensure safe staffing standards are maintained for patients. In a poll conducted in fall 2024, nurses reported that they did not have break coverage on over 61% of shifts.
Nurses argue that Northwell can afford to invest in a contract that helps recruit and retain enough nurses for quality patient care. Northwell Health is one of the largest employers on Long Island and has some of the highest executive compensation packages. In 2023, Northwell’s President and CEO Michael Dowling raked in over $9 million in salary, benefits, and perks. The hospital system has spent lavishly in recent years to expand the South Shore campus, increase its endowment and purchase Connecticut-based Nuvance Health. Regulators are concerned about Northwell’s track record of hiking prices after mergers and acquisitions. The health system also announced in July 2024 it was launching its own film studio, raising questions about its commitment to patient privacy and care.
South Shore nurses are joining other NYSNA nurses on Long Island who are actively bargaining for new contracts, including nurses at Northwell Huntington Hospital and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, some of the newest members of NYSNA. Over 2,500 nurses at the three hospitals are united for quality care for all Long Island patients.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said: “Northwell is one of the wealthiest health systems in New York state, but instead of focusing on quality care and negotiating with its dedicated nurses, hospital executives are focused on business deals to build their empire. Long Island nurses and patients must be the priority. We demand Northwell return to the table to negotiate a fair contract that helps nurses deliver the quality care our communities deserve.”
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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.