JUNE 2019
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/MAYORALS
Bargaining Starts Strong If NYSNA nurses’ first bargaining session with the City on June 17 was largely procedural, the second session on June 19th was anything but. For the first time in our bargaining with the City, dozens of nurses attended the open session, held at the NYSNA headquarters. Twenty-four NYC H+H/Mayorals nurses gave compelling testimony about their working conditions. Sonia Lawrence, RN, an ICU nurse at Lincoln Hospital, explained, “How do I provide quality care with dignity and compassion when I have no PCT or PCA to offset my workload? I have to be a unit clerk, phlebotomist, EKG technician, messenger transport, pharmacy delivery person, running to the lab or the blood bank, because the patient’s life depends on it. Even when leaving the patient’s bedside may be the difference between life and death.” Alizia McMyers, RN, an Accountable Care Manager and Membership Chair at Harlem Hospital, described the conversations she often has with nurses in her facility: “The veteran nurses tell me they have never seen staffing this bad. When newer nurses are distraught, I try to reassure them it will get better, but I
wonder if the City and H+H will put in the resources to actually make it better?” NYSNA nurses and negotiators spoke about the financial benefits of safe staffing, as well as nurse retention, workplace violence, and issues of equity. We emphasized the predatory relationship between the private sector and public sector hospitals, and how inequalities and healthcare disparities are growing. We pointed to the need for Mayor de Blasio to pay attention to what’s happening in the public sector, particularly as he runs for President on a platform of quality universal healthcare. “Public sector nurses believe strongly in expanding access to healthcare,” said Judith Cutchin, RN and President, NYSNA NYC H+H/Mayorals Executive Council. “Safe staffing is the key to creating access.” At the end of the meeting, we scheduled the next ten bargaining sessions. Talk to your Rep or RSVP to henry.rose@nysna.org to attend, and be part of making history.
SAVE THE DATES! Next Bargaining Sessions: Thursday, July 11 Friday, July 12
