NY Nurse Winter 2024

By Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN NYSNA President

Advocating for patients. Advancing the profession.SM

BoARD oF DiReCToRs

President nancy Hagans, rn, BSn, CCrn nancy.hagans@nysna.org

First Vice President Judith Cutchin, , DnP, rn, MSn judith.cutchin@nysna.org

second Vice President Marion enright, rn marion.enright@nysna.org

secretary nella Pineda-Marcon, rn, BC nella.pineda-marcon@nysna.org

Treasurer Jayne L. Cammisa, rn, BSn jayne.cammisa@nysna.org

Directors at large

Marie Boyle, rn, BSn marie.boyle@nysna.org

Seth B. Dressekie, rn, MSn, PMHnP, BC seth.dressekie@nysna.org

Flandersia Jones, rn, BSn, MPH flandersia.jones@nysna.org

Michelle Jones, rn, MSn, AnP-C michelle.jones@nysna.org

Sonia M. Lawrence, rn, BSn sonia.lawrence@nysna.org

Benny K. Mathew, rn, MS, CCrn, Cen, SCrn benny.mathew@nysna.org

Ari Moma, rn, MSA ari.moma@nysna.org

Jean erica Padgett, rn jean.padgett@nysna.org

Regional Directors

Southeastern Christopher Honor, rn, BSn,CAPA christopher.honor@nysna.org

Southern Aretha Morgan, rn, MSn aretha.morgan@nysna.org

Central Catherine Dawson,rn,CnOr,MSn catherine.dawson@nysna.org

Lower Hudson/nJ Margaret Franks, rn margaret.franks@nysna.org

western John Batson, rn john.batson@nysna.org

eastern Bill Schneider, rn, CCrn bill.schneider @nysna.org editor

A strong Voice in Albany

it was great seeing so many NYSNA members pack the halls of the New York Capitol on our March 5 Lobby Day. Almost 600 members met with nearly 150 state legislators to sound the alarm about our priorities and urge them to support nurses and patients in the state budget.

More support for nurses, patients and healthcare is essential. When we look around the state, we see hospitals cut services and understaff nurses — putting quality care at risk. The emergency department at my hospital, Maimonides in Brooklyn, is overflowing with patients. Nurses are so understaffed that they have taken on up to 17 patients at a time. This is unacceptable, and I know we’re not alone.

Members in Long Island, the capital region and New York City are outraged by hospitals putting profits over patients and closing down maternal health units and outsourcing midwifery services.

We also see a state budget with cuts to Medicaid and with no support for recruiting and retaining more nurses for safe patient care. It’s clear that Albany must do more. Patients everywhere deserve quality care. They need more access to quality care and more nurses to care for them safely. That’s the goal of New York’s nurses, and it should be the goal of New York’s policymakers.

lawmakers Get Onboard

Many legislators were on board. They lined up to help us amplify our demands at our press conference at the Capitol, where over 30 state lawmakers attended.

Our press conference helped draw attention to the need for safe staffing enforcement, a real plan to recruit and retain nurses, improvements to

public sector Tier 6 pension benefits, strong nurse practice standards, fair funding for public and safety-net hospitals, and an end to hospital closures of maternity and other essential healthcare services.

listen to Nurses

In my press conference remarks and conversations with legislators that day, I really emphasized the importance of holding hospitals accountable for safe staffing. They passed a hospital staffing committee law in 2021 for good reason — to keep nurses and patients safe and help prevent burnout that was causing nurses to leave the bedside. All hospitals are supposed to follow safe staffing standards now, but we know they’re not. Nurses have filed literally thousands of complaints, but we have seen very little enforcement action from the New York State Department of Health (DOH). The DOH needs to do its job and enforce the law.

Another major issue on my mind was fixing the nurse staffing crisis through education, loan forgiveness, recruitment and retention programs. The current budget includes no proposals to stabilize the nursing workforce. One major way to improve nurse retention in the public sector is to fix Tier 6! Fixing tier 6 of the New York state pension fund will help retain public health nurses and our public hospitals’ most experienced nurses, ensuring that they can retire with dignity. NYSNA is part of the union coalition that is calling for legislators to fix Tier 6, and we were happy to see the New York

State AFL-CIO and many of our labor allies in the Capitol hammering home that message.

We Are Watching

One of the key lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic was that we need to invest in healthcare. We know New York can and must do better when it comes to investing in healthcare and ensuring quality care for all.

Our message is breaking through. When we tell our stories to state legislators, they listen.

As this column goes to print, the budget is still being negotiated. Already, the state Senate’s budget proposal contains many of our priorities, including restoring cuts to Medicaid, defeating false solutions to the staffing crisis like the Nurse Licensure Compact, and improvements to Tier 6 public pension benefits.

We know this New York state budget season and legislative session are not over yet. We are watching, but we are not just waiting to see what will happen. We are continuing to speak out about the issues that matter to nurses, healthcare professionals, our patients and our communities. And we are continuing to push for our short- and long-term policy priorities to be reflected in the final budget.

NYSNA members are on the front lines of healthcare and must have a voice in the policies that impact our work, our lives and our patients’ lives. Stay tuned for more ways you can get involved in making positive policy change — whether up in Albany or close to home.

nySnA leaders met with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

nySnA nurses in the state capitol

We Can Make New York More Affordable

new York has an affordability crisis. From housing and healthcare to education, most New Yorkers are finding it increasingly difficult to stay above water.

National trends like skyrocketing inflation make even buying the essentials like groceries more unaffordable. In New York, we feel the impacts of the affordability crisis especially hard because our state ranks highest in the nation when it comes to income inequality.1 New York also has the largest wealth inequality and the largest racial wealth gap in the nation.2

New York’s Growing Inequality

At the same time, New York has the highest concentration of extreme wealth in the country. Over the last few decades, the incomes of CEOs and the top 1% and top 0.01% have grown astronomically, while the incomes of the rest of us have barely risen.3

Our state’s tax system could help level the playing field and make things fairer for all New Yorkers rather than placing a heavier burden on working- and middle-class fami-

Having a more progressive tax system is about fairness. Simply put, it means everyone pays their fair share.

lies. By fairly taxing corporations and the ultra-wealthy, New York could raise revenues to pay for the services that improve all residents’ quality of life.

Having a more progressive tax system is about fairness. Simply put, it means everyone pays their fair share. Under our current system, middle-income earners are paying the most, while the top 1% of earners pay the same or less than the bottom 40% of earners that’s unfair.4 Much of the concentrated wealth that New York’s top earners hold can’t even be taxed under current law and that’s to the tune of nearly $4 trillion going untaxed.5

While the governor had pledged to never raise taxes, unions and other advocates are fighting for a more progressive tax system to help provide immediate relief for working New Yorkers and build sustain-

By Pat Kane, RN NYSNA Executive Director

able revenue for necessary services in the long run.

Funding New York’s Future

Fortunately, we have solutions. We have examples of people in other states pushing back and winning fair taxation. Raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy is popular policy, with majority support from New Yorkers across all demographics.6

Other states like New Jersey and California have increased taxes on the highest earners years ago and have not seen “millionaire flight.” On the contrary, their millionaire populations have grown substantially. Even President Joe Biden is making raising taxes on the ultrawealthy a national priority saying in his State of the Union address, “No billionaire should pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a sanitation worker, a nurse.”

It’s Time to Invest in Our New York

With solutions like progressive personal income tax reform, capital gains tax, corporate tax reform, heirs tax and the billionaires tax, New York could generate billions of dollars of revenue to stabilize the economy and help New Yorkers thrive.

With sustained revenue, we can invest in healthcare, housing access and equity, quality education for every New Yorker, childcare and other family supports, and fixing the public sector Tier 6 pension program to recruit and retain the public sector workforce that keeps New York running.

That’s why NYSNA has joined forces with our labor allies like the Communication Workers of America and supporting coalition partners like the Invest in Our NY campaign We worked together just a few years ago to make modest but critical improvements to New York’s tax system, and we can do it again.

SOURcES

1 https://fiscalpolicy.rg/inequality-innew-york-options-for-progressive-taxreform

https://www.census.gov/library/ publications/2023/acs/acsbr-017.html

2 https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/ the-racial-wealth-gap-in-newyork/#racial-wealth-inequality-in-newyork-state

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ black-wealth-is-increasing-but-so-is-theracial-wealth-gap/

https://www.epi.org/publication/ceopay-in-2022/#epi-toc-1

https://www.epi.org/blog/ wage-inequality-fell-in-2022because-stock-market-declines-broughtdown-pay-of-the-highest-earners-buttop-1-wages-have-skyrocketed-171-7since-1979-while-bottom-90-wageshave-seen-just-32-9-growth/

4 https://fiscalpolicy.org/inequality-innew-york-options-for-progressive-taxreform

5 https://itep.org/the-geographicdistribution-of-extreme-wealth-in-the-us/#appendix-c

6 https://www.investinourny.org/ 2024poll

We call on Northwell Health to immediately deliver and finalize a fair contract. Do the right thing.”

NYSNA Members Fight and Win at Northwell

in February 2023, after a long campaign that included giving the hospital a strike notice and launching a public ad campaign to highlight Northwell’s greedy corporate practices, South Shore University Hospital/Northwell Nurses showed that nurses at Northwell facilities are ready to fight and win fair contracts that provide safe staffing, respectable wages and the conditions nurses and healthcare professionals need to provide excellent care to their communities.

A year later, nurses and healthcare professionals at Peconic Bay Medical Center/Northwell and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Valley Stream/Northwell showed once again they were up to the task. They won a hard-fought campaign after weeks of escalation and a simultaneous strike notice announcement.

Because they shared a contract expiration date, NYSNA members at LIJ Valley Stream and Peconic decided to work concurrently in separate contract campaigns to show Northwell that NYSNA members across the region are united in their demands for safe staffing and fair wages that will help recruit and retain nurses and healthcare workers. Following South Shore’s success, they also launched an advertising campaign that focused on Northwell’s high executive pay, pointing out that healthcare workers at Peconic were some of the lowest paid on Long Island. The website revealed, “Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling made $7.7 million dollars in 2021 in salary, bonus and perks.”

Ready to Strike

NYSNA members at both LIJ Valley Stream and Peconic voted by a margin of 99.5% to authorize a strike after seeing little progress in negotiations. At the beginning of February, large groups from each facility marched to their hospital administrators’ offices to deliver 10-day strike notices, notifying management that they intended to strike starting Feb. 21 unless management delivered fair contract agreements. Despite the overwhelming support for striking, NYSNA healthcare professionals hoped to bargain as much as possible to reach an agreement to avert a strike.

Nurses and healthcare workers at LIJ Valley Stream and Peconic also

got a boost of support from The Long Island Federation of Labor and 22 labor unions who sent their own message to Dowling. In a letter delivered to both facilities ahead of the strike notice deadline, unions took aim at private hospitals’ pursuit of profits and said, “We call on Northwell Health to immediately deliver and finalize a fair contract. Do the right thing.”

Breakthrough

After marathon bargaining sessions at both facilities and with a strike deadline looming, Peconic reached a tentative agreement first, followed shortly by LIJ Valley Stream. On Feb. 21, both facilities ratified new contracts with over 85% voting in favor of ratification. Both three-year contracts improve safe staffing standards and wages the key demands of NYSNA members at both Northwell facilities.

These contract victories continue the trend of NYSNA mem-

bers across Long Island going up against the largest private employer in New York, Northwell Health, and winning new contracts with significant safe staffing and wage increases. These two contracts close out a total of five recent Northwell negotiations on Long Island since the beginning of 2023 and three negotiations with Catholic Health hospitals, winning measures that will undoubtedly improve healthcare for Long Island patients.

Onward to Staten Island

Now all eyes are on Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, where in mid-March nurses have also voted to authorize a strike with 97.3% of the vote. Nurses at the facility have familiar demands: respectable wages and safe staffing. Northwell should know by now that nurses are ready for another fight. This story is developing as we go to print. Stay tuned for an update in the next NY Nurse!

northwell Long island Jewish Valley Stream nurses get fired up.

northwell Peconic Bay Medical Center members rallied for a fair contract.

Capital Region Nurses Are United for Their Patients and Their Profession

nurses from Albany Medical Center, Ellis Hospital, Bellevue Woman’s Center and Nathan Littauer Hospital are coming together to fight for safe staffing, respectful wages and fair contracts.

Starting in February, nurses from these facilities started meeting monthly to plan and strategize around shared issues to amplify their power and advocate for their patients and their profession. After discussing problems at their facilities, nurses realized they were facing similar issues, from unsafe staffing levels to service cuts to employers who place profits before patient care. Now they are working together and supporting each other in the fight to provide quality healthcare to the capital region.

Our Hospital Employers Are consolidating and Organizing

At these meetings, nurses discussed how the Albany Med Health System has consolidated significantly in the last 20 years with the acquisition of nearby hospitals. Quantity is not the same thing as quality. Now Albany Medical Center, the health system’s flagship hospital that serves approximately one-third of capital region patients, has some of the longest Emergency Department waiting times in the state.

On Feb. 7, Albany Med nurses hosted a community town hall to discuss the staffing crisis, especially in critical care, that is putting patients at risk. Nurses described the effect of persistent understaffing on patient care and nurse retention, and community leaders weighed in with their experiences as patients.

In the last few months, nurses have submitted numerous complaints to the New York State Department of Health detailing chronic unsafe staffing ratios and the hospital’s refusal to address staffing in violation of state law.

Jen Bejo, RN, president of NYSNA’s labor bargaining unit at Albany Med, said: “Staffing is a huge issue for us everyone feels the pressure to do more with less support. It’s overwhelming, especially when we’re already stretched thin. As nurses, we want to do more for our patients, but we can’t because

of the hospital’s consistent failure to provide a safe working environment for us and our patients. Unsafe staffing destroys our morale and leads to exhaustion and burnout.”

Nurses at Ellis Medicine and Bellevue Women’s Center are also sounding the alarm about what a merger with Trinity-owned St. Peter’s Health System will bring. Since entering a merger agreement, Ellis management has cut essential healthcare services like overnight emergency services and inpatient adolescent mental health care at Ellis Hospital. In Ellis and Bellevue nurses’ fight for a fair contract, they have demanded that Ellis stop the cuts and invest in safe patient care instead.

Nurses Are Organizing Too

St. Peter’s has been on a consolidation and cutting spree, and not just at Ellis. NYSNA nurses raised concerns about the impact that St. Peter’s proposed closure of maternal health services at Samaritan Hospital’s Burdett Birth Center in Troy will have on community care in the area. Capital region nurses spoke out on Feb. 28 at a public forum that St. Peter’s Health Partners hosted about the proposed closure of Samaritan Hospital’s Burdett Birth Center.

At the public forum, Bellevue Woman’s Center neonatal intensive care unit nurse, Dawn Zipp, RN, said: “We have a maternal and child mortality crisis in this country, and St. Peter’s is closing these essential healthcare services at exactly the wrong time. I am deeply concerned about St. Peter’s commitment to women’s rights and maternal health based on this proposed closure. They need to stop the cuts and start

investing in safe patient care for our moms and babies.”

Nurses are also actively working within their facilities to do joint actions that bring attention to their unity and strength across facilities. For Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, they held sticker days to amplify their shared demand of safe staffing and quality care for patients.

Nurses from all capital region facilities also attended NYSNA’s March 5 Lobby Day to speak to lawmakers about improving patient care in the capital region. A week later, Ellis Medicine nurses recruited Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara to engage in community outreach by asking local Schenectady businesses to place “Invest in Safe Patient Care” signs in their windows.

Capital region nurses are uniting like never before to build nurse power and recruit community and political support to hold hospitals accountable for quality care in their communities. They are supporting one another to take on some of New York’s largest healthcare employers in an inspiring show of unity to stop cuts to healthcare and win fair contracts that honor their patients and profession.

Capital region nurses held a sticker day of action on St. Patrick's Day.

Capital region nurses are united.

NYSNA PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS

2024

is a crucial election year with high stakes for nurses and healthcare professionals. this year, we will vote in the presidential race and the down-ballot battleground races for the U.S. Congress, state Senate and state Assembly. For nySnA to keep building political power, we cannot afford to sit out these elections. nySnA has announced its first round of endorsed candidates for the 2024 primary. these candidates are champions of labor unions and healthcare justice.

As we approach the June primary, nySnA members, alongside fellow labor unions, will mobilize to elect leaders who will fight for nurses, healthcare professionals, our patients and working families in 2024 and beyond. to get more involved in building nurses’ political power, join the Political Action team at nysna.org/pat.

FEDERAl

Kirsten Gillibrand U.S. Senate

COnGreSSiOnAL DiStriCt (CD)

tom Suozzi

Greg Meeks

Grace Meng

nydia Velázquez

Jerry nadler

Jamaal Bowman

Mondaire Jones

Josh riley

Paul tonko

John Mannion

tim Kennedy

CD 3

CD5

CD 6

CD 7

CD 12

CD 16

CD 17

CD 19

CD 20

CD 22

CD 26

STATE SENATE

StAte SenAte DiStriCt (SD)

James Sanders SD 10

toby Stavisky SD 11

iwen Chu SD 17

Julia Salazar SD 18

Zellnor Myrie SD 20

Kevin Parker .....................

Jose

Luis Sepúlveda

From fighting for Medicare for All to walking the picket line with nurses in the Bronx and westchester, Bowman is the champion who nurses and working families need in Congress. As an educator and principal, Bowman was a union member himself and understands the importance of the labor movement. nurses and healthcare professionals in national nurses United and nySnA are coming together to make sure we send Bowman back to Congress.

rep. Bowman spoke out alongside nySnA nurses to keep Montefiore Mount Vernon open for care in 2022.

Jamaal Bowman

S TATE A SSEMBlY

Visit www.nysna.org/endorsements for more election endorsements throughout this important election year.

Tim Kennedy

Kennedy represents the fighting spirit of western new york. in the new york state Senate, Kennedy has always been an ally to nurses and labor. He’s supported our issues in the Legislature, including the new york Health Act. Kennedy is also never afraid to show up for nySnA nurses and stand up to hospital management when we needed a fair contract. nySnA nurses are excited to help elect him to Congress to be a fighter for working people on the national stage.

KeY eleCTioN DATes 2024

U.S. Presidential Primary Election

March 23-30: early voting.

April 2: election Day.

Primary Election (New York legislature and U.S. congress)

June 15: voter registration deadline.

June 15-23: early voting.

June 25: election Day.

General Election

Oct. 26: voter registration deadline.

Oct. 26-nov. 3: early voting.

nov. 5: election Day.

It’s time for Albany to listen to nurses and to invest in quality care for all New Yorkers.”

President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, ccRN

When Nurses Talk, legislators listen

nYSNA leaders joined the 53rd Annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators (NYSABPRHAL) in Albany. The conference’s mission is to engage New Yorkers from minority backgrounds into a dialogue about issues and policies that have an impact on their daily lives and communities.

Throughout the weekend, NYSNA leaders had the honor of meeting with U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressmember Paul Tonko, New York State Senator Iwen Chu, Assembly Member Latrice Walker, and New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam, among others, to discuss the issues and policies that matter most to nurses and healthcare workers.

Hundreds of NYSNA Nurses lobby in Albany

Almost 600 NYSNA nurses showed up in Albany to raise our voice for safe staffing and urge legislators to support nurses and patients’ legislative priorities. NYSNA nurses had an incredible year of contract victories, but nurses know that legislative and political advocacy are also necessary to protect patient care and build a robust and stable nursing workforce throughout the state.

Nurses gathered for a powerful press conference and lobbied nearly 150 state legislators, calling on Albany to invest in quality healthcare for all New Yorkers and address the continued staffing crisis. President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, spoke out at the press conference saying, “Our patients across

New York state need and deserve quality care. Patients need more access to healthcare, and they need more nurses to care for them safely. It’s time for Albany to listen to nurses and to invest in quality care for all New Yorkers.”

Nurses were joined by Senate Health Committee Chair Sen. Gustavo Rivera, Sen. Robert Jackson, Assembly Health Chair Amy Paulin, Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assemblymember Harry Bronson and a representative from 1199SEIU. NYSNA nurses were also joined by three nurse champions in the Assembly Aileen Gunther, Karines Reyes, and Phara Souffrant Forrest who amplified our demands. Approximately 30 state legislators attended in solidarity.

Sending a clear Message

During meetings with legislators, NYSNA Lower Hudson/NJ Regional Director Margaret Franks, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center pointed to hospitals’ disturbing trend of service closures and hospital consolidation for profit. Franks said, “I see hospitals close down maternity and other services, and as I see nurses at my own hospital leave the job within a year because the conditions are too stressful. Now Northwell, the state’s largest healthcare system, has announced that it plans to take over our hospital. My coworkers and I are concerned because we’ve seen time and again that hospital expansion and consolidation in search of profits leads to cuts in essential healthcare services for our communities. We need legislators to join NYSNA in our fight to protect patient care.”

Many more NYSNA members spoke with legislators and connected their personal experience to NYSNA’s budget and policy priorities, asking legislators to listen to nurses and prioritize:

l Holding hospitals accountable for safe staffing.

l Solving the nurse staffing crisis through education, loan forgiveness, recruitment and retention programs.

l Fixing tier 6 of the New York state pension fund to help retain our public hospitals’ most experienced nurses and ensure that they can retire with dignity.

l Protecting quality care by safeguarding New York’s nursing practice standards.

l Fairly funding underserved communities and prohibiting hospital closures of maternity and other essential healthcare services.

Progress and Next Steps

Already, NYSNA’s lobby day made a difference. The budgets that the state Senate and Assembly proposed after our visit included many of nurses’ priorities. Policymakers proposed restoring Medicaid cuts, protecting nurse scope of practice and improving Tier 6, among other positive proposals.

NYSNA will continue to closely watch and make our voices heard in budget negotiations between the governor and legislators as we approach the April budget deadline. And nurses will be back in Albany in May for a legislative lobby day to continue to push for the investment and policies needed to protect nurses, our profession and our communities.

nurses gather with Congressman tonko during Caucus weekend.

nurses make their voices heard at the Capitol for a fair budget and important legislative priorities.

Nurses Unite and Strategize at NNU Workshop

nYSNA leaders from every part of the state participated in an all-day National Nurses United (NNU) Regional Leadership Workshop in Manhattan on Feb. 13. The workshop brought together NYSNA and NNU leaders from across the country to share experiences and strategies, build relationships and learn from one another.

NYSNA President and NNU Co-President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, opened the workshop. She presented along with NNU Co-Presidents Deborah Burger, RN; Jean Ross, RN; and Zenei TriunfoCortez, RN, who outlined why NNU was originally founded as a “super union” for nurses and why growing our movement is more important than ever to confront the challenges our patients and profession face.

Discussing current and Future challenges

Panel discussions throughout the day addressed NYSNA victories; defending RN practice; assessing the moment, including the rise of hospital consolidation and gig nursing; health and safety, including why policy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention matters; social justice unionism; and building collective political power.

Health and Safety

NYSNA leaders Flandersia Jones, BSN, MPH; Cathy Dawson, RN, CNOR, MSN; and Alizia McMyers, RN, MSN, presented on the health and safety panel about efforts to improve safety and reduce workplace violence at their facilities, sometimes describing tragic incidents that preceded union nurses’ successful push for change.

After a shooting at BronxCare, Jones described how staff fought for and won a weapon screening system, saying, “Our lives are worth every penny and more than the

money the hospital wants to save.”

Dawson described how there’s more work to be done, saying that after a stabbing two years ago, NYSNA nurses at Ellis Hospital won installation of a panic button, but it’s only in one area of the hospital.

Social Justice Unionism

NYSNA First Vice President

Judith Cutchin, RN, DNP; Western Regional Director John Batson, RN; and Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) nurse leader Lona DeNisco, RN, spoke to the challenges of caring for people at a time of great inequality. Cutchin noted, “The problems outside our facilities are also inside our facilities. Our patients are uninsured and underinsured; they lack access to primary care. We see the health disparities.”

ECMC nurses reflected on Buffalo’s 24% poverty rate and soaring mental health needs since the COVID-19 pandemic. Batson said, “Our fight is relentless.” DeNisco commented, “We need legislation to provide equitable care for everyone. That’s what nurses do, but we need everyone to do that ... We need to kick down any door that stands in our way.”

One Union United to Win

Throughout the day, there were plenty of opportunities for NNU members from around the country to make connections. NYSNA board members Aretha Morgan, RN, MSN, and Margaret Franks, RN, BSN, MEDSURG-BC, spoke with District of Columbia Nurses Association President LaKisha Little-Smalls, RN, about building a national movement of nurses.

Franks said, “No matter what we’re talking about, the message is that we’re stronger when we stand together. We need to bring that back, because no matter what the fight is, we can accomplish so much more when we pull together on it. We have so many resources locally

with NYSNA and now nationally with NNU.”

Little-Smalls noted, “Having support among members and affiliates is so important. We need to be be present and build support to win this fight, because it affects us all.”

Bringing lessons Back

NYSNA members from the North Country, capital region and New York City sat together and discussed some of the new issues they learned about, including artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and the emerging “Home All Alone” model of healthcare. UVMChamplain Valley Physicians Hospital leader Chris Swiesz, RN, said: “AI and remote nursing are very disconcerting. I liken it to a corporation like Walmart that no longer has a cashier. They want you to bag your own groceries. Well, now they want you to take care of yourself when you’re sick, which totally defeats the purpose of healthcare.”

NNU Co-President Deborah Burger reflected: “What I want to bring back to California is the spirit of solidarity that the New York State Nurses Association is providing for nurses in California. By working together, we are building off each other’s successes, and we learn from failures as well ... I’m really looking forward to seeing how far nursing can go in the future, where we have more control over our own profession, and we don’t rely on politicians and other professions to tell us what our role is in the profession.”

Participants ended the day feeling the solidarity, power and optimism of being part of “One Strong Union, United to Win!”

nnU Co-President Deborah Burger, rn, (far left) with eCMC members

nySnA leaders share a meal and discussion at the nnU regional Leader workshop.

Nurses Speak Out for Maternal Health

Over the past two decades, maternal mortality in other high-income countries has decreased, while in the U.S., it has increased. The maternal health crisis in the U.S. disproportionately impacts Black and Indigenous pregnant persons, with stark disparities in New York state and New York City. Despite this crisis and New York’s stated goals of improving maternal health outcomes, hospitals are closing maternity health services throughout the state.

Fighting Back in long Island

In Long Island, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital administrators abruptly announced at the end of 2023 that they would suspend maternity services as of Feb. 1. NYSNA nurses warned that this careless and harmful decision will negatively impact families throughout the community who depend on the labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care unit and other maternal health services that St. Catherine provides. The closure of these vital services will force pregnant individuals to travel 30-40 minutes more to other nearby hospitals. This significantly increases the risk of adverse events during pregnancy or childbirth.

St. Catherine was the first babyfriendly designated hospital in Suffolk County. It provides quality care to a growing population of mothers and babies in Smithtown and the surrounding communities and consistently receives the highestquality rankings. It also serves as the main teaching hospital in the area for new labor and delivery nurses, serving a vital role in growing the number of well-trained nurses that Long Island needs. Although nurses

along with hundreds of concerned community members spoke out to stop the closure of services, it appears the St. Catherine administration is trying to bypass a full New York State Department of Health review of this closure and shift maternal services to other Catholic Health facilities. In the meantime, maternal health in Smithtown and the surrounding communities hangs in the balance.

confronting a l arger Problem

What’s happening at St. Catherine is not an isolated incident. Since last year alone, NYSNA has been involved in fights against closures of maternity services in St. Lawrence County in the North Country; midwifery services in Northern Manhattan; maternal home care services in the Bronx; and most recently, maternal health services in the capital region at Burdett Birth Center in Troy.

While Burdett Birth Center is not a NYSNA facility, capital region NYSNA nurses from Albany Medical Center, Bellevue Woman’s Center and Ellis Medicine have raised concerns about the impact that St. Peter’s proposed closure of maternal health services at Burdett will have on community care and maternal health in the capital region.

St. Peter’s Health system the same health system that is in the process of acquiring Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center acquired Burdett.

Since St. Peter’s acquired Burdett and other area hospitals, administrators have cut vital healthcare services. Ellis Medicine has also cut services after entering a merger agreement with St. Peter’s. Nurses are particularly concerned about the future of the Bellevue Woman’s Center, Schenectady’s only mater-

nal-child health center, if the merger is approved. Corporate hospital consolidation often leads to healthcare cuts, and capital region nurses are sounding the alarm to prevent negative health outcomes for mothers and babies.

Putting Pregnant Patients Over Profits

Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned the maternity mortality crisis in New York in her most recent State of the State address; but to address the crisis, we must address service closures and access to affordable care. New York’s hospitals are nonprofit institutions with a mandate they are not fulfilling. They’re eliminating services that are less profitable and driving bad health outcomes for patients.

Maternity services are not a budget priority for hospitals because they generally pull in less money per patient than other services. More than half of live births in New York are paid by Medicaid, not private insurance. Medicaid pays hospitals much less than private insurance, and that drives the closure of essential but “unprofitable” services like maternal and child healthcare and mental healthcare. Effectively addressing the maternal health crisis and the inequities in pregnancy outcomes for birthing people requires centering patients’ needs and putting patients over profits. That means investing in and expanding maternal care services instead of putting them on the chopping block.

Pregnant patients need to reclaim their right to healthcare and demand the services that they need. When we have nurses, doctors and community members all working together to save services, we can save lives and improve the health of our communities.

St. Catherine of Siena nurses advocate to keep maternal health services open.

Capital region nurses protest the proposed closure of the Burdett Birth Center in troy.

A.O. Fox Nurses Ratify contract

on Jan. 25, NYSNA nurses at A.O. Fox ratified a new contract, voting unanimously in favor of ratification. The new three-year contract includes significant gains, such as unprecedented wage increases, improved staffing language and the preservation of the NYSNA healthcare

benefit fund at no additional cost to nurses. Nurses fought back against several concessionary proposals from hospital administration, and they won. The nurses’ contract gains will help the hospital recruit and retain enough healthcare professionals for safe, quality patient care. Congratulations, A.O. Fox nurses!

NYSNA Nurses celebrate at Interregional Meetings

NYSNA nurses from the Hudson Valley, Queens, Bronx, Upstate West and Long Island joined together at their interregional meetings. Members celebrated contract victories and

union solidarity, discussed issues they face across the region and strategized how to organize to tackle ongoing issues. Nurses left ready to work together and win in 2024!

Nurses at c abrini of Westchester Win New contract

Nurses at Cabrini of Westchester voted yes to ratify a new contract. The three-year contract includes a major economic win of entry into the NYSNA pension fund effective Jan. 1, 2024; base wage rate and experi-

DOH Investigates Vassar Brothers for Understaffing

After years of unsafe staffing, Vassar Brothers Medical Center nurses filed a contract grievance and safe staffing complaint with the New York State Department of Health (DOH).

Nurses from unit 7N kept a record of staffing levels for over one year to track whether the hospital was following agreed-upon ratios. In a span of over 700 shifts, ratios were followed only 15 times that’s only 2.14% of the time! The complaint prompted the DOH to visit and interview 7N nurses and the staffing committee members. Nurses obtained a preliminary copy of the DOH findings and are now waiting to hear what violations and corrective action plan will be issued.

Vassar nurses sent a clear message: It’s time to enforce the law and abide by the agreed-upon staffing ratios. Kudos to Vassar Brother nurses for their diligence in tracking staffing data and pressuring the DOH to get involved!

Putnam Hospital Victory

NYSNA members at Putnam Hospital have been fighting to ensure that Nuvance Health System complies with the New York state hospital staffing committee law. NYSNA members fought for and won a staffing law, but management is not following it.

c VPH Nurses Speak Out After Potential Gun Violence

Incident

Was Intercepted N

YSNA healthcare professionals at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), part of the University of Vermont Health Network, had a worrisome morning on Tuesday, Feb. 13, after police arrested a former CVPH employee with a loaded gun blocks away from the hospital. A phone call tip informed the police that the suspect intended to harm CVPH employees, and fortunately, the suspect was arrested before tragedy ensued.

This event highlights the increasing workplace violence incidents at healthcare facilities and the violence that nurses and healthcare workers face every day when trying to care for patients. CVPH healthcare professionals have been calling for improved safety measures, but management had been slow to act. Members spoke out in the media and through labor-management meetings urged CVPH administrators to implement NYSNA’s workplace safety recommendations immediately. As CVPH member Ashley Cota, NP, RN, told Channel 3, “We are hoping that we will see more measures taken that will keep our community and colleagues safe because something like this can happen really anywhere. I think this should be a huge wake-up call for everyone in this organization.”

ence step increases of 5.5%, 5% and 4%, respectively; maintenance of NYSNA health benefits at zero cost to nurses; new staffing language; Juneteenth as a paid holiday; and more. Congratulations, Cabrini of Westchester nurses!

Part of the law states that staffing boards must be public facing with real-time nurse-to-patient ratios. After months of fighting management, nurses were successful in holding their employer accountable.

The public-facing staffing board is finally posted in the facility. Congratulations, Putnam Hospital nurses!

NYSNA Nurses

Join Brooklyn Needs SUNY Downstate Rally

NYSNA nurses joined hundreds of labor allies, Brooklyn community members and elected officials to demand that State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate remains open for care. The decision to close SUNY Downstate will reduce healthcare in Brooklyn and harm the largely underserved Black, brown and immigrant communities that depend on the hospital.

The rally showed a groundswell of support to stop the closure of SUNY Downstate in response to the announcement of incoming drastic changes in the structure and operation of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. The plan would relegate this safety-net hospital to a wing in H+H/Kings County Hospital Center. Other healthcare services performed at Downstate would be moved out to other neighboring hospitals. Communities can’t afford to lose a safety-net hospital, and NYSNA nurses joined the Coalition to Save SUNY Downstate and are ready to organize and keep services open for care.

NYc H+H Hires 850 Nurses Since contract Victory

in a New York City Council budget hearing, NYC H+H President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD, announced that the health system has hired 850 permanent nurses and is steadily shrinking its dependence on travel nurses. The increase in nurse hiring and retention is credited to the historic contract that New York City public sector nurses won that includes pay parity with the private sector. As the city reduces the exorbitant spending on temporary and agency nurses, hospitals can hire and retain more permanent nurses to care for all New Yorkers.

c ase Managers at Samaritan Medical center Vote

Unanimously to Join NYSNA!

on Thursday, Feb. 15, the case managers at Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) voted unanimously to join NYSNA. A small but mighty group, the four case managers stuck together despite the SMC administration’s delay tactics, and they prevailed. They started escalating their campaign with a march on the boss, and from that day until their vote count, they had the full support of fellow NYSNA members.

Congratulations and welcome to NYSNA, SMC case managers!

NYSNA Attends Nursing Students’ Association Annual convention

NYSNA board members attended the Nursing Students’ Association of New York State’s 72nd Annual Convention on Long Island. They tabled and talked to nursing students about NYSNA and the benefits of being a union nurse. Dozens of nursing students

stopped by the NYSNA table to share their interest in learning more about NYSNA and how to become a member. They spoke to NYSNA leaders who shared their wealth of experience and knowledge and NYSNA’s history of advocacy with the next generation

of nurses.

Nurses Show Up in Solidarity With cIR-SEIU Residents and Doctors Fighting for a Fair contract

NYSNA nurses joined NYC Health+Hospitals (H+H) interns, residents and doctors from the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)/SEIU in their week of action demanding fair pay and a fair contract. Nurses showed up at speak-outs throughout the

H+H system and spoke in solidarity with CIR residents who treat and care for some of the most vulnerable patients in New York City. NYSNA is committed to showing up in solidarity with their fight until the city agrees to CIR’s demands.

New York’s Black Political leaders Make History black history month

this Black History Month is a good time to recognize the ongoing struggle for civil rights as well as celebrate the Black political leaders who are continuing the struggle and are making history.

Voting rights have been making the headlines and not just because this is an important election year. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was reintroduced in Congress in March, timed for the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. It is also the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” so named for the day that Black protesters, including civil rights activist John Lewis, were beaten in Selma, Alabama, for marching for the right to vote.

1965 and the televised sight of that horrific day may seem like ancient history, but history has a way of repeating itself. As Senate

New York’s Black Elected Officials Take the lead

Despite attempts to limit the voice and voting power of Black Americans around the country, here in New York, our elected leaders are successfully protecting and expanding the right to vote. Several of New York’s Black elected officials are following in Lewis’ footsteps of making “good trouble.” They are taking the lead and making history themselves.

Attorney General letitia James

When James was elected as New York’s attorney general in 2018, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected attorney general. She has distinguished herself as “the people’s lawyer,” defending reproductive rights, pay equity, voting rights and more.

Judiciary Committee Chairman

Dick Durbin said during introduction of the bill in the Senate, “Last year alone state legislators in 14 states enacted 17 laws that made it harder for people, particularly people of color, to vote. Today we are reintroducing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act because we know how crucial, how critical it is, for us to do our part to expand access to the ballot box and end voter discrimination.”1

Modern Day Attacks on Voting Rights

Attacks against voting rights are not just happening in state legislatures. Last fall, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin introduced federal legislation that would add voting restrictions.2 In the last 10 years, the Supreme Court has weakened voting rights and anti-discrimination protections in two separate rulings.3

When New York implemented voting reforms to expand access to absentee ballots, ensure minor technical mistakes on ballots wouldn’t invalidate votes, and update the ballot counting process and timeline, James successfully defended expanded voting rights from judicial attacks.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman

Bowman has served New York’s 16th Congressional District, encompassing parts of Westchester County and the Bronx since 2021. He is the first Black member of Congress for this district. A longterm educator and advocate, he was arrested alongside other activists for protesting for voting rights outside the U.S. Capitol in 2022. The protest unfolded after the U.S. Senate failed to pass The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement

The right to vote is an elemental civil right and not something to take for granted. Those who came before us fought for and even died so that we could exercise our right to vote. Expanding and protecting the right to vote protects our democracy. Protecting our democracy requires remembering our history as well as our continual vigilance and advocacy.

Lewis went from being a civil rights activist to a member of Congress, holding his strong moral convictions and his seat representing his Georgia district until his death in 2020.4 His advice stayed largely the same through his life and career:

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Act or change filibuster rules to allow for legislation with majority support to pass.5

Stewart-Cousins was the first woman in New York history to be elected to lead the Senate Democratic Conference and first woman to become Senate majority leader. Since becoming majority leader in 2019, Stewart-Cousins has focused on protecting New Yorkers’ rights, including the right to vote. She led the successful charge to pass progressive voting legislation in 2022, saying: “The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York and the additional voting rights legislation being passed, one of which I am proud to sponsor, will expand and codify voter protections, empower citizens at the ballot box, and promote accountability among elected officials.”6

SOURcES

1 https://www.graydc.com/2024/03/ 03/senate-re-introduces-john-lewisvoting-rights-advancement-act/

2 https://www.npr.org/2023/09/19/ 1199617896/john-lewis-voting-rightsact-terri-sewell

3 https://www.brennancenter.org/ our-work/research-reports/john-lewisvoting-rights-advancement-act

4 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/ 17/us/john-lewis-dead.html

5 https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/20/ politics/jamaal-bowman-arrested/index. html

6 https://www.nysenate.gov/ newsroom/press-releases/2022/senatepasses-john-r-lewis-voting-rights-actnew-york

Senate Majority leader Andrea Stewart- cousins

candidates in the 2024 NYSNA Officer Election

the following candidates statements are published here in connection with the 2024 nySnA officer election. Candidate statements are also available in the Members Only area of the nySnA website (www.nysna.org/members-only). Ballots will be mailed on June 1. if you are a nySnA member and do not receive your ballot by June 7, or if you have any other questions about the election, please contact Global election Services at (877) 455-9367. the individual candidates have provided the information below and nySnA is not responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Nurses United for All Slate

President

Nancy Hagans

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Maimonides Medical Center, NYSNA Resource Education

BSN, CCRN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Current NYSNA President

• LBU Person chairperson

• NNU Council of President

• NYSNA member

• NNU Member

• AFL-CIO Member

• CLC board of director

• Benefits trustee

• AACN Member

Part 2 – Statement of Views

When I ran for NYSNA President 3 years ago, I promised to unite our union and get nurses across the state the respect our profession deserves. And I’m so proud of what we’ve already accomplished together. NYSNA members have won record-setting raises and enforceable staffing standards at the bargaining table. Members at New York Health and mayoral Hospitals won an historic settlement providing pay parity with the private sector. We’ve united with nurses across the country by joining National Nurses United, and now NYSNA members have a real voice in Washington, D.C. But there is still so much more to do, which is why I hope you’ll vote for the “Nurses United for All” Slate so we can keep NYSNA moving forward. Together we will make sure every nurse in every hospital across New York has the staffing

they deserve. We will continue the fight for ‘Medicare for All,’ for racial and social justice, and for real solutions to the climate crisis. And we will also ensure NYSNA is ready to address new challenges, like retaining skilled nurses in the aftermath of COVID and ensuring new technologies like AI don’t erode our professional practice or patient care.

First Vice President

Judith Cutchin

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Woodhull Hospital and Mental Health

Center, Head Nurse Specialty Practice/ Ambulatory Care Education

Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP), RN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Board of Directors – First VP

• Board of Trustees (Welfare Fund)

• LBU President Executive Council President HHC/ Mayoral Agencies

• NYSNA PAC Chairperson of Social Justice and Civil Rights Committee

Part 2 – Statement of Views

Alone we accomplish little; together we can move mountains. The Nurses United for All (NUFA) slate was formed by a group of diverse and dedicated professional nurses with hundreds of years of nursing and leadership experience with the same goal in mind; to continue to build and strengthen our powerful union (NYSNA).

NUFA will use strong strategic plans to achieve safe staffing ratios and the enforcement of staffing ratios, pay equity, fair and equitable contracts, and nurse/ patient satisfaction that will result in the best practices and outcomes for our members and patients. Our strong involvement in the nursing profession and the political arena will enable NUFA to advocate for our members at the organizational and legislative levels to achieve healthcare, racial, socioeconomic, and environmental equity. We will use the strategic plans to eliminate workplace violence and actively incorporate feedback from our NYSNA Sisters and Brothers to address workplace concerns to improve overall work environments. The NUFA will join with our NYSNA Siblings, in every NYSNA-represented sector, to continue to spearhead campaigns that will positively impact our members and the patients we serve. I hope you vote for the NUFA Slate. When we fight, We Win!!

second Vice President

Bill Schneider

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

PACU Clinical Leader –Registered Nurse, Adirondack Medical Center

Former Employment ICU-Registered Nurse, Adirondack Medical Center

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing –SUNY Empire State College and

CCRN with AACN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Local Bargaining Unit Chairperson – Adirondack Medical Center

• Eastern Regional Director –Board of Directors – NYSNA

• Single Payer Healthcare Committee – NYSNA

Part 2 – Statement of Views

Hello fellow NYSNA nurses, I am a nurse in the PACU at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, NY. I’m the Chairperson for our Local Bargaining Unit, I currently serve as Eastern Regional Director on the NYSNA Board of Directors, and am now running for the 2nd Vice President seat. NYSNA has had an incredible track record of success these past three years! We’ve had historic contract wins in the private and public sector all over the state. We’ve organized new facilities, adding to our membership. We’ve advanced Safe Staffing through both legislation and contract language enforcement. Our affiliation with NNU has given us a voice on the national level, where we can continue our fight for Single Payer/Medicare-for-All coverage. Moving forward, we need to continue our battle against forprofit healthcare, forcing industry to put patients and our nurses ahead of profits! Whether it is pubic hospitals in urban areas or critical access hospitals in rural areas, we need to keep facilities open, well-staffed, with quality healthcare available for all New Yorkers! Our “Nurses United For All” slate envisions three more years of a strong and united NYSNA, because we’ve proven that when NYSNA nurses stick together and fight…WE WIN!

secretary

Michelle Jones

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Adult Nurse Practitioner in Pre-Admission Testing

Department, Flushing Hospital Medical Center

Education

• MSN (Adult Nurse Practitioner)

– Stony Brook University

• BSN – SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• NYSNA Director at Large

• NNU Vice President

• NYSNA Single-Payer Committee member

• Flushing Hospital Executive Committee Co-Chairperson

• Member of American Assoc. of Nurse Practitioners

• Nurse Practitioner Association of NYS

• Infusion Nursing Society

• AFL-CIO

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I am seeking the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors as part of Nurses United for All Slate. Under the current leadership, NYSNA has developed a well-deserved reputation as a trailblazing union. We set hard deadlines for our employers and negotiated great contracts across the state. We made huge breakthroughs in the public sector, raising the industry standard with pay parity. We won strong staffing language with enforcement and protected our health benefits. We continue to fiercely advocate for healthcare justice, as well as fight for racial, social and climate justice. The Nurses United for All Slate will continue to protect the future of the nursing practice from Artificial Intelligence that seeks to erode our profession. We will continue to strengthen NYSNA’s work with National Nurses United, which has already provided NYSNA its first-ever opportunity to testify in Congress, promoting Medicare for All and

Nurses United for All Slate

Safe Staffing. We are building union power by organizing members and empowering them through mentorship and support. We have solidified our place in the labor movement and established a voice across the state and nationally. Together, we can face new challenges and build on our successes as one cohesive group –Nurses United for All.

treasurer

Margaret Franks

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Registered Nurse, 7 North Med-Surg, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie

Former Employment Position

Registered Nurse, 6 South MedSurg, St. Johns Riverside Hospital, Yonkers

Education

• BSN-SUNY Delhi, 2019

• Currently enrolled in MSN program at SUNY Delhi

• Board Certified Med-Surg by ANA

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Current Regional Director for Hudson Valley/NJ, NYSNA

• Chair NYSNA Single Payer Committee

• Member Dutchess Co. Central Labor Council

• General Vice-President Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation

• Volunteer for Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps

Part 2 – Statement of Views

As a member of the NYSNA board, I am proud of all we have accomplished working together on behalf of NY nurses. I have stood with nurses at rallies in Cortland Manor, Nyack, Schenectady, and NYC, and on the strike line at Mt. Sinai. Talking to nurses all over the state has shown me that we are all fighting for common goals and facing similar obstacles no matter what setting we practice in. I will continue to fight for NY nurses and serve them with integrity, as

our members deserve nothing less. Your stories are my stories and they deserve to be told. Please support the Nurses United for All Slate so we can continue to work on your behalf.

directors at Large (vote for 10)

Marie Boyle

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

South Shore University Hospital, Radiology Former Employment Position

SUNY Stony Brook, Telemetry Education

• SUNY Farmingdale, AAS, Nursing

• SUNY Stony Brook, BSN, Nursing

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• NYSNA Board of Director, Delegate at Large

• Long Island Federation of Labor, Board of Director

• LBU, Southside Hospital, almost 30 years

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I am running on the 2024 Nurses United for All Slate for the position of Director at Large. We have accomplished so much in the ast two years, and i would like to continue to be part of the great team that lead NYSNA’s affiliation with National Nurses United (NNU). Together we have broadened our reach across the nation and joined together with nurses fighting for the same goals—safe staffing, pay parity, social justice, and healthcare for all. Throughout my career, of 52 years, I have seen the devastating impact of corporate healthcare, and the relentless pursuit of the bottom line. As nurses, our goal will always be patients over profits. Building a strong union is the best way we can protect our patients and our profession. That is way NYSNA has been a constant in my life for 30 years, and why i am proud of what we have

accomplished together, including our global work through NYRN. Vote for Nurses United for All so we can continue this fight!

Marion Enright

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

PACU RN at Nathan Littauer Hospital

Education Associates

Degree from

Fulton Montgomery Community College

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Currently serving my second term on the NYSNA Board of Directors.

• Currently the Second Vice President on the NYSNA Board of Directors

• Local Bargaining Unit President for 10 years

Part 2 – Statement of Views

It is my hope in serving to bring the concerns of our patients and profession to the forefront of the conversation state wide and nationally. I am committed to moving pushing forward the resolutions to combat social, racial, and economic justice.

Denash L. Forbes

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Mount Sinai West; ICU RN

ANCC

Former Employment Position

Brookdale Hosp. Center; MED/ SURG RN

Education

MSN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

NYSNA EC

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I started my nursing career 40 years ago. One of my first jobs was at a union hospital. I had great co-workers and respectful patients, but I'll never forget when management referred to us as

"appliance nurses". It was a slap in the face. After that, I changed jobs and became a member of NYSNA. In my first year, we went on strike against the hospital and won what we were aiming for. The strike had a great impression on me, and I decided to become active in NYSNA, serving on our Executive Committee for several years. I'm currently running for the Director at Large position as part of the Nurses United for All Slate. Serving on the NYSNA Board of Directors will allow me to organize around the daily concerns nurses face such as short staffing, increasing patient loads, increasing documentation, inadequate auxiliary staff and related issues. We must also continue to address aspects of the safe staffing law that is not being enforced and must hold the responsible parties accountable. If elected, I will work collaboratively with my colleagues to ensure safe staffing and better working environment for all NYSNA members across the state.

Flandersia Jones

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Full Time Staff Nurse, BronxCare Health System

Former Employment Position

Same as above Education

• MPH; BNS; RN Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Active LBU member at BronxCare Health System

• Board Member PAC

• Board of Directors at Large

Part 2 – Statement of Views

My name is Flandersia a registered nurse for over 35 years, 20 of which I have spent at BronxCare as a registered nurse working as a telemetry and oncology nurse. I am a dedicated nurse, leader and advocate for social justice over the past three years as member

Nurses United for All Slate

of the Board of Directors for NYSNA. I have worked hard with other leaders to gain outstanding victories: safe staffing, highest contractual and pay parities, equities and safety in health facilities. I have a deep-rooted commitment for the empowerment of nurses in all aspects of service. I am dedicated to issues that affect my community including: climate change, volunteering on political campaigns to elect politicians that have the same views and interest of nurses, attending seminars and workshops to develop robust nursing practice. I am deeply involved in the community I live and serve as a nurse, secretary for the High School Board in District 10 a member and choir at the United Fordham Methodist Church, a member of Community Voices Heard working with members to ensure families are not kicked out of their homes/apartments. Looking forward to serving you as a board of director for the next term.

Sonia M. Lawrence

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Staff Nurse, Lincoln Medical Center Education

RN, BSN Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• President H+H Mayoral Executive Council

• Director At Large NYSNA

• President LBU Lincoln Hospital

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished in the past two years. From the streets of New York City, to Albany, to Capitol Hill, NYSNA has gained national recognition as a “fighting union” that wins!

We’ve passed safe staffing legislation, led successful strikes, and our public sector nurses have shattered the glass ceiling winning historic pay parity with the private sector, along with

measures to attract and retain experienced, dedicated nurses in our safety net hospitals. Our affiliation with National Nurses United has strengthened our voice with 225,000 RNs across the U.S., and global affiliation is within our grasp. But there is still much more work to be done. We must stay the course and raise standards for EVERY nurse across the state. I remain dedicated and committed to our vision – “One Union, United to Win” – which is why I am seeing re-election as a Director at Large as part of the Nurses United for All Slate. Together, we can hold our employers accountable and continue defending our union, our members, our patients, our communities and the scope of our practice, against those seeking to erode our standards or put the bottom line ahead of our patients.

Petar Lovric

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Current employee and staff nurse at Elmhurst Hospital in the pediatric emergency department Education BSN, CPEN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• LBU Delegate at Elmhurst Hospital and H+H NYSNA

• Member of the local/DOH Staffing committee, Nurse Practice Committee, and more.

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I am elated to improve upon our previous contract wins and further build upon the great momentum we built in the last couple of years. We must enforce staffing ratios currently in place and seek to apply strict staffing standards at the State level. Technology should be introduced to aid us, not replace us. We must seek to lead in these matters and others, such as piloting the nation’s first single-payer

healthcare system in the country, and more. Finally, we must carry our momentum to villages, townships, Cities, and State Hall. No nurse – whether public, private, or independent – should ever be left behind in our State.

Ari Moma

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

NYSNA

Resource Person at Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Former Employment Position

• Per Diem Psych Nurse, NYP Brooklyn Methodist hospital

• Part-Time RN at Brookdale Hospital

Education

• BS Physics & Astronomy (Nigeria)

• AAS Nursing (IMC)

• MS Healthcare Admin

• (CMU) GC HR (CMU)

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• NYSNA Dir. at Large

• NYSNA Pension Trustee

• LBU Chairperson at IMC

• NYSNA State & Fed PAC Member

• Fmr. Chairperson, IMC Nurses Pension Trustee

• Fmr. Grievance chairperson, IMC

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I believe that every patient is a VIP and every community deserve a hospital irrespective of their socio-economic status and that's why a stood firmly in the fight and push back for the closure of LICH and survival of Interfaith Medical Center, more so, in fight and hearings with NYSNA for the passage of safe staffing bill in Albany for quality care. The push for the sustainable of Safetynet facilities, through NYSNA, I partnered with other local organizations in the advocacy to increase the reimburstment rate to safety-net facilities. With history learnt from COVID-19 and its variants, we must unite as a strong body (NYSNA) to demand

a better health care system and Medicare for all As a strong united body, we should continue to fight against corporate greed, demand equitable contracts (NYSNA set a example last year) for all our member and finally, we should relent effort in the fight for social justice and preservation of our plant Earth for our children and future generation.

Aretha Morgan

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Registered Nurse, New York Presbyterian Hospital

Former Employment Position

Registered Nurse, Montefiore Medical Center

Education

• Masters in Nursing Education

• Baccalaureate in Nursing Science

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• NYSNA Board of Directors

• Executive Committee Member Lead Delegate

• NYSNA Member Leader Training Educator and Panelist

Part 2 – Statement of Views

In the past three years, we have come a long way as a union. We went national, affiliating with National Nurses United. We closed the pay-parity gap that divided private and public sector nurses, so that equal compensation is given to all nurses who perform the same work regardless of gender, race, religion, age or disability. We won safe-staffing grids and ratios for all our hospital units, including our ICU’s and Emergency Departments. We won new contracts that maintain our health benefits and pension funds, enhance the recruitment and retention of nurses, improve experience differentials, and provide Juneteenth as a paid holiday. We protected our retiree health funds to provide NYSNA nurses with affordable, comprehensive and efficient

Nurses United for All Slate

retirement plans. And we also won the historical 7-6-5% wage increases, with retro-active pay, that paved the way for similar agreements throughout all New York City hospitals. If elected as part of the Nurses United for All Slate, we will continue to focus on expanding our union, enforcing safe staffing, securing safe working conditions, promoting universal health care, and fighting for social, economic and racial justice. We will also continue to fight against artificial intelligence which cannot replace caring and compassionate nurses.

Jill E. Toledo

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

NewYork Presbyterian Hospital Radiation Oncology, Clinical Nurse III Education

• Herbert H Lehman College BSN

• Benedictine University MSN Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Delegate NYP

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I am running for NYSNA Director at Large as part of the Nurses United for All Slate because I want all NYSNA members to have a strong union that can advocate for our patients, our families, our communities and ourselves. As a member of the Board, I will be committed to ensuring NYSNA members are represented equally, regardless of race, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation or job title. NYSNA's strength is our members, and I've seen our union grow so much stronger and more united these past few years. As a Board member, I want to continue that growth and it would be an honor to serve. Together, we can continue to move forward, strengthen our voice in the legislature, secure contract gains for all NYSNA members, and support our communities in need.

We will succeed if we can stand as one united union, and not be divided. Solidarity is the way forward.

Pauline Wallace

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Head Nurse, Breastfeeding Coordinator, Kings County Hospital

Former Employment Position

Staff Nurse: Lincoln Hospital Education

• BSN, Chamberlain University College of Nursing

• Currently enrolled in the MSN Educator track

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• President of the LBU at Kings County Hospital

• Held positions as a delegate, secretary and vice-president of the LBU at Kings County

• Member of the 2023 contract negotiation team

Part 2 – Statement of Views

My goal if elected as a Director at Large is to support NYSNA and the members in moving the organization forward. I will fight the enforcement of staffing ratio laws, ensuring that we hold the city H+H, and management to the terms of our recently won contract, hold DOH accountable for enforcing staffing ratios in all hospitals, and have members become fully engaged in the decisions that will affect their practices and personal lives. I will support the fight for paid family leave, universal healthcare for all which is a human right and social justice right. President Nancy Hagan, when elected stated that one of her goal is to have one NYSNA, so that we can all work together regardless of where we work. There is much to do and accomplish. Let us finish what we started. Vote Nurses united for all.

centraL regionaL director

Catherine Dawson

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Ellis Hospital, RN Staff Nurse, Operating Room

Former Employment Position

Albany Medical Center

Education

ADN, MSN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• CNOR

• Executive Committee Ellis Bargaining Unit

• Central Regional Director

Part 2 – Statement of Views

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the Central Regional Director. NYSNA has accomplished so much in the past three years. I look forward to continuing this journey with NYSNA and seeing the union prosper. I have learned a lot and know I will learn even more in the next 3 years.

eastern regionaL director

Victoria Davis-Courson

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Registered Nurse, MSN, Resource Pool at Champlain Valley Physicians

Hospital

Education

MSN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

I am currently an active NYSNA

Delegate and hold the position of Co-Chair on the NYSNA Executive Committee at my facility

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I have been an active member of NYSNA since 2004 and have seen many changes that have made this union stronger across the state, the

most recent becoming affiliated with National Nurses United. I want to serve on the Board of Directors to continue to grow our union and have a strong voice within the organization. At CVPH NYSNA won a fair contract after an 18 months battle over health insurance. Moving forward in the Clinton County area like to fight for a better pension plan for our members and future members. I do not want to see our professional/ practice standards minimized to solve a staffing crisis facilities across New York have created.

LoWer hudson & neW Jersey regionaL director

Mary-Lynn Boyts

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Full Time Release Representative, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY

Education

• BA History, WCSU

• RN BS, Concordia College

• MS CNL, Sacred Heart University

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Participate in rallies at Westchester Medical Center as well as at other facilities to support nursing

• Lobby Day participation, Labor breakfasts in the region, safe staffing campaigns

• 2nd VP on Executive Committee

• Staffing captain recruitment

Part 2 – Statement of Views

Nursing is my second career, which I chose because of the integrity, dedication and commitment nurses provided to the people they cared for, which had a profound impact on me. I got involved in the union because I wanted to be a part of changing the inequalities and disparities in our healthcare system. In my 10 years as a nurse, I have seen the critical role the New York State Nurses Association plays in the constant

Nurses United for All Slate

fight for safe and equitable care for our patients and appropriate staffing to be able to deliver that care. I’ve also seen how important it is to fight for that change from the ground up, by encouraging and engaging our co-workers, especially our younger colleagues. I’m running for NYSNA Regional Director as part of the Nurses United for All Slate because I want to continue building our union and expanding member engagement across the state. I also want to make sure NYSNA is attuned to the specific issues nurses face in the Hudson Valley.

southeastern regionaL director

Christopher Honor

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Staff RN, Cardiac Cath Lab, Peconic Bay Medical Center

Education BSN

Part 2 – Statement of Views

After being appointed to NYSNA Board of Directors in 2023, I felt inspired and motivated to run for the position of Southeastern Regional Director. I began my nursing career 24 years ago, and since then I have recognized the importance of leadership and advocacy for registered nurses. As the President of my local bargaining unit at Peconic Bay Medical Center on Long Island, I feel more empowered to continue advancing NYSNA’s vision. That includes advocating, leading and fighting for the entire membership today, and for the future members as well. Together, I believe we can achieve the highest level of patient safety and compassionate care in all the communities we serve. This past year has been a time of great progress for NYSNA. We’ve ratified many strong contracts that addressed pay parity, safe staffing ratios, and other critical issues. There is much more work to be done and it takes dedicated and engaged individuals to lead the

way. I am eager to serve along with the rest of the Nurses United for All Slate.

southern regionaL director

Alizia McMyers

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Accountable Care Manager, RN, NYC Health+

Hospitals/ Harlem

Former Employment Position Montefiore Westchester Square Hospital, Staff Nurse, RN Education

• MSN

• MHA

• BSN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• NYC Health+Hospitals/ Mayorals Executive Council Vice-President

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Harlem LBU Vice-President

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Harlem Membership Chairperson

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I have worked at Harlem Hospital over twenty-five plus years and served in many union leadership roles. We have accomplished great things this past few years, working together as one united union. As the current executive council vicepresident, I was especially proud to be one of three lead negotiators representing the NYSNA NYC Health and Hospitals/Mayoral nurses during the 2023 contract negotiations with the City of New York. These negotiations produced a historic victory, winning pay parity with the private sector for all nurses in the country’s largest public healthcare system. We also addressed staffing ratios, established specific recruitment efforts to fill vacancies and took concrete steps to improve retention. I am running for Southern Regional Director as part of the Nurses United for All Slate because I want to build on these successes. I believe in our nurses

and know that they’re providing our patients with the very best they have to offer. We know a nurse’s work is never complete. We must continue the fight to ensure that staffing ratios are enforced, and to improve the quality of care that patients receive through expert nursing practice. Together, we can provide a level of professionalism that is world class.

Western regionaL director

John Batson

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Registered Nurse/General Duty Nurse/ Erie County Medical Center

Education

A.A.S. Nursing

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• ECMC LBU Executive Committee ICU specialty

• NYSNA Western Regional Director

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I am a Registered Nurse working in MICU at Erie County Medical Center, where I currently serve on our LBU executive committee. I am running for the position of Western Regional Director on the Nurses United for All 2024 Slate. Since I was recently appointed as the Western Regional Director position, I understand what the job entails and am eager to serve. This is a critical time for our profession. Nurses across the country faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. And now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, this is our time to regroup and prepare for several of the new challenges we face, including increased workplace violence, decreased healthcare funding, particularly for mental health services, and poor working conditions. The Nurses United for All 2024 slate is the group fighting for you and fighting with you. Together, we can take on the establishment, including our employers and the politicians

who support them. If elected, I will work tirelessly with NYSNA members and elected leaders to find solutions to the problems we face and build stronger workplace protections. We will not be deterred from fighting for our members and advocating for healthcare justice.

directors at Large (vote for 10)

Maria Katherine Fernandez

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Staff RN, Montefiore Westchester Square, Bronx, NY

Former Employment Position

Staff RN, Montefiore Einstein, Bronx, NY

Education BSN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Executive Committee Lead organizer Einstein

• NYSNA Finance committee

• Montefiore Bargaining committee

Part 2 – Statement of Views

I believe in the strenght of our solidarity. I will strive to

Nurses United on the Frontlines Slate

foster unity among members, recognizing that our collective power is our greatest asset in the face of challenges.

Xenia Greene

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Childrens Hospital at Montefiore, 2005-present Education

• Bachelors in Nursing

• Bachelors in Biology

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• Nysna Executive Committee Co Chair

• Nysna Delegate

• NYSNA Shop Steward

• Member of Critical Care Nurses Association

• Co Chair of Magnet Committee

• Member of Unit Practice Council

• Member of Emergency Nurses Association

Part 2 – Statement of Views

15 year shop steward with a vision for rank and file led union seeking position as a Director at Large. I am a passionate nurse advocate who has led with her coworkers campaigns for:

Decreasing workplace violence and mandating a system in place in the case of an active shooter. Organizing with nurse practitioners for them to lead the charge on advocating to extend the Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act. Creating a more therapeutic mental health environment in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Led the creation of a Covid POA during the first year of the pandemic, that was being used throughout the state with the assistance of NYSNA Health and Safety Officers. Put forth a resolution which remains in place to provide mental/emotional support services for nurses through the union. I am committed to amplifying nurses’ voices, securing fair treatment, and advancing healthcare standards. Ready to lead with integrity, unity, and a relentless drive for positive change.

Jennifer Velez

Part 1 – Biographical Data

Current Position

Nurse practitioner

Anticoagulation services at Staten Island University Hospital

Former Employment Position

Nurse Practitioner Pediatric Rheumatology at Montefiore Medical Center

Education

• Doctorate of Nursing Practice

• Family Nurse Practitioner -BC

• RN-BSN

Professional Activities & Union Offices Held

• NYSNA shop Stewart at SIUH

• NYSNA Convention delegate at Montefiore

• NPA

Part 2 – Statement of Views

Member on NYSNA for the past 16 years. Currently, serving as an NP shop Steward at Staten Island University Hospital, and held the position of NYSNA convention delegate at Montefiore for 2 years. I am running for NYSNA Director at Large. My mission is to educate, serve, and represent my fellow members in advocating for safer work practices, transparency among union members, strengthening, and increasing involvement in the union.