JULY 2019
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER
Westchester Unites for Safe Staffing On July 3, nurses at Westchester Medical Center were joined by nurses from St. John’s Riverside and St. Joseph’s Medical Center, as well as local and state political leaders, to speak out for safe staffing. The afternoon rally on the Oval drew attention to some unfinished business this state legislative session—the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act and the recently-introduced Financial Penalties for Violating Mandatory Overtime Laws bill (A3706/S5424). Both bills aim to improve staffing, and ultimately, patient safety. The bipartisan Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act would establish safe nurse-to-patient ratios in healthcare facilities throughout the state. State Senator Peter Harckham (DSD40) spoke at the rally, explaining, “This bill is very simple. It is only common sense that we have mandated staffing levels for all units. It only makes sense to not have nurses scrambling from room to room to room.” Other politicians who reaffirmed their commitment to safe staffing were: State Senator Shelley Mayer (D-SD37); Assembly Member Tom Abinanti (D-AD93); Assembly Member David Buchwald (D-AD93), Assembly Member Colin Schmitt (R-AD99); Westchester County Legislator David Tubiolo (R-CD14); and Westchester County Legislator Christopher A. Johnson (D-CD16).
Assembly Member Aileen Gunther and Senator Robert Jackson introduced the Mandatory Overtime bill this session to create a civil penalty/fine for violations of the mandatory overtime law (including breaks and lunches). Although mandation is less of a problem since NYSNA successfully advocated for a law in 2009, imposing fines and bonus pay would provide an even greater incentive for employers to staff properly, instead of relying on mandatory overtime. “It’s getting bad again and that’s why this bill was introduced,” said Corrine Noonan, RN and NYSNA Release Time Representative. “Give us safe staffing! After 16 hours, even on our best day, nurses can only do so much.” Although Westchester Medical Center has hired more nurses recently, the majority of new nurses have been hired into more senior positions, where they may perform limited bedside duties. “We need to build the foundation before we build the roof,” said Jayne Cammisa, RN. “Last year, nurses at Westchester Med filled out more than 8,600 protests of assignment. Safe staffing is way past due—for patients at Westchester Med and all over the state.”
