‘After all, decent pay is critical to the improved health of our New York workforce’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2015

NEW YORK, NY – The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), today, released a statement applauding NY Governor Andrew Cuomo for his action to convene the state’s wage board and ask them to consider wages for fast food workers. NYSNA – which represents nearly 37,000 registered nurses throughout the state – sees a link between livable wages and public health and has built powerful coalitions throughout the state to end healthcare inequality and improve access to care in every community in New York.

In a prepared statement, Jill Furillo, RN, Executive Director, said:

“NYSNA and our New York union allies are united in the fight against low wages. Low wages and poverty have created an overwhelming and growing public health crisis in our state, and we commend Governor Cuomo for taking this progressive first step towards addressing this issue.

“The percentage of New Yorkers living in poverty is staggering and while corporate profits continue to surge, wages are at the lowest percentage of the overall economy EVER.

“How does this profound economic inequality impact our patients and communities? For one, poverty has profound healthcare effects. The heart attacks suffered by young New Yorkers, gut disorders our nurses see among children, increases in anxiety and mental illnesses of all ages are linked to stresses of poverty and demise. Even, suicide rates have shown to increase as a result of job losses and home foreclosures.

“Low wage workers in New York can no longer wait for the Legislature to act. NYSNA continues to stand with our labor brothers and sisters to push harder for livable wages for all New Yorkers. After all, decent pay is critical to the health of our New York workforce.”

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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 37,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, please visit our website at www.nysna.org.