Staten Island nurses hit the right note

The 14 hospitals in bargaining in New York City continue to press demands. Patient safety is our top priority.

The multi-employer talks, involving four hospitals – Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York Presbyterian, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt and Mt. Sinai Hospital, all in Manhattan – continue. At the same time, bargaining is underway at other facilities and actions in support are taking place very week.

“Have a Heart”

On Staten Island, two NYC hospitals are in bargaining: Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC). In January, SIUH nurses walked-in on the executive suite, voicing demands to top managers to take bargaining more seriously. Nurses also raised health and safety issues at the walk-in.

On February 12, SIUH nurses, joined by RUMC nurses and other supporters, held a Staten Island vigil and speak out. Safe staffing demands are proposed at both hospitals and an innovative campaign was launched to further those demands. It took shape in the form of “Have A [Heart], Staff Smart” signage (see photo above). A song written and produced by NYSNA, “All About The Patients,” was performed at the vigil and became a hit with nurses and supporters. The videotaped version took off on the Internet. To listen go to www.youtube.com/user/NYSNAvoices.

More actions in support of patient safety demands are planned.