Hundreds of elected delegates, representing NYSNA facilities, individual members, and retirees from across the state, met at our first Delegated Convention on December 7 and 8 in New York City.

Over two days of debate and voting, delegates voted to approve resolutions on the following subjects:

• Building NYSNA’s power through member education and organizing
• Creating strong nursing standards and defending nursing practice
• Organizing the unorganized
• Building solidarity, building a movement
• Expanding the union leave program
• NYSNA’s Political and Policy Platform for 2018-2019
• Winning safe staffing at the bargaining table and in Albany
• Educating and mobilizing nurses for “Medicare for All”
• Strengthening New York’s public healthcare system
• Fighting corporate control of healthcare and putting patients over profits
• Building a strong NYSNA after the Janus decision (two separate resolutions)
• Fighting to win the right to strike for public sector employees while protecting our existing legal protections
• Protecting all of our patients
• Promoting racial and economic justice by addressing the social determinants of health
• Addressing the public health effects of climate change environmental destruction
• Providing mental health support for nurses
• Improving the health and safety of nurses
• NYSNA can help win the battle against Sickle Cell Disease

You can read the full text of the resolutions here.

NYSNA delegates will meet for our next Convention in Albany on October 29 – 30, 2019.

At the Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board:

• Received an update on the progress of contract negotiations at Staten Island University Hospital, as well as actions taken by members to push for a fair contract.  Management made their last, best, and final offer, which was not endorsed by NYSNA’s negotiating team.  Members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike.  Members throughout the state will continue to be notified of support actions for SIUH negotiations.
• Reviewed the Private Sector Bargaining Retreat on May 22^nd and 23^rd, in advance of private sector bargaining that will affect 20,000 private sector members.  Groups were organized according to systems and independent hospitals, and discussed global demands, reviewed contract language, and developed plans for creating contract action teams.  A report from these group discussions will be developed for distribution.
• Approved a motion to launch a pilot leave program, beginning in October 2018, in facilities where contracts are expiring, designed to develop and train leaders and strengthen contract campaigns.  Members on union leave will participate in a month of intensive trainings and evaluations to develop campaign-related member engagement skills.
• Approved a motion to recruit RN members from facilities where contracts expire at the end of 2018 to assist in contract campaigns and participate in training sessions.
• Discussed upcoming delegate elections, the orientation of delegates after taking office, and the process for training delegates on leadership skills, the changing landscape of healthcare, the labor movement and working families, and the attacks on these including “right to work” legislation.
• Reviewed preparations for the upcoming Supreme Court Janus decision, including duty to fair representation and designated membership withdrawal period.  Union membership card signing campaign is in progress.
• Approved a motion to establish an interest-bearing escrow account for the purpose of segregating money received from agency fee payers transmitted from employers to NYSNA.
• Reviewed progress of safe staffing bill in Albany.  Lobbying efforts continue to recruit NYS Senate Republicans to support, and a day of action throughout the state is planned for June 15^th.
• Discussed the creation of the One Brooklyn Health hospital system, comprised of Interfaith, Kingsbrook Jewish, and Brookdale hospitals.  Leadership retreat for LBU leaders was held April 13-14, where they reviewed action plans for members and peers moving forward, learned about OBH and possible corporate structure, joint bargaining plans, creation of a member newsletter, and ongoing organizing efforts for a Contract Action Team.
• Received reports from NYSNA’s Political Action Committee, Member Engagement and Leadership Committee, Single Payer Committee, Council on Legislation, and Climate Justice Committee.

At the Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board:

• Reviewed preparations for the upcoming Supreme Court Janus decision.  NYSNA staff are supporting local leadership in efforts to get membership cards signed, strengthen member commitment and engagement, and using micro campaigns around safe staffing and nursing practice issues.  The Board also reviewed 2018 changes to the NYS Taylor Law and municipal laws regarding so-called free riders, membership authorization and withdrawal.
• Approved a motion to adopt the resolution “Calling for the Adoption and Implementation of Minimum Safe Staffing Ratios throughout the New York City Health and Hospitals System.”
• Clarified convention delegate allocations, recommending an amendment to Article I, Section A to make members of the Board of Directors and LBU presidents or chairs automatic delegates, not impacting the delegate allotment for a given LBU.  Approved a motion to adopt “NYSNA Convention Delegate Election Rules as Amended April 11^th.”
• Approved a motion to support South Bronx Unite in their efforts to stop the NYC Mayor’s plan to build a new jail in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx.
• Discussed ways to build the grassroots at NYSNA, following a “Yes we can” approach through the labor movement, following the leads of other movements (e.g., nationwide teacher strikes, student protests against gun violence), devoting NYSNA resources to support actions, allocating nursing resources, and developing position statements.
• Received an update on private sector bargaining at Northwell, Albany Medical Center, and the upcoming Bargaining Conference for NYC private sector facilities on May 22^nd-23^rd.
• Reviewed plans for a march to support behavioral health initiatives in response to NY Presbyterian’s Allen Pavilion planning to decertify 35 in-patient beds.  The closure of these beds is opposed by physicians and the local Community Board Health Committee and Community Planning Board.
• Received reports from NYSNA’s Political Action Committee, Member Engagement and Leadership Development, Climate Justice and Disaster Relief Committee, Single Payer Committee, and Legislative Committee.
• Approved a motion to endorse the following candidates: Harvey Epstein (NYS Assembly District 74 – Democrat/Working Families); Brian Barnwell (NYS Assembly District 30 – Democrat/Working Families); and Marisol Alcantra (NYS Senate District 31 – Democrat).

At the Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board:

• Reviewed the growing NYC psychiatric health crisis, where Allen Pavilion of NY Presbyterian plans to close 30 psychiatric beds, and Mt. Sinai has closed geriatric and MICA psychiatric units. A campaign inclusive of a march in support of psychiatric services, in concert with community based organizations, was suggested.
• Reviewed NYSNA’s 2018 Strategic Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2019. Strategic plan includes promoting safe staffing at the bargaining table; maintaining and expanding public health systems across the state and ensuring adequate funding and access to quality care; strengthening NYSNA in advance of Janus Supreme Court Decision; promoting social justice and public health; and developing union leadership.
• Approved motions to adopt the proposed 2018 Strategic Plan, and to approve the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2019.
• Discussed preparations in advance of the Janus decision from the Supreme Court, including a new member ID card program, and new NYS legislation creating a 30-day membership withdrawal window, unions’ right to access new employees, and possible changes to duty of fair representation.
• Received a report from the Member Engagement Committee on leadership development and the creation of further training programs, including the “Lunch and Learn” program.
• Discussed preparations for convention delegate elections, including the drafting of flyers soliciting candidate nominations and delegate election rules, for Board approval. An email will go out to all LBU members that elections will be forthcoming. 
• Received a report from the NYSNA Political Action Committee.  A motion was approved endorsing special election candidates Luis Sepúlveda (NYS Senate District 32) and Shelley Mayer (NYS Senate District 37). A motion was also approved appointing NYSNA PAC Trustees; allowing the Board of Directors to use applicable and relevant provisions of the NYSNA PAC’s by-laws for the newly-created NYSNA Federal PAC, until new rules are drafted and approved for the Federal PAC; and approving the operation of the NYSNA Federal PAC to make contributions to candidates for office and political committees, and to make independent political expenditures as permitted by law.

November 2017 Board Action Report

At the November 15, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board

• Discussed various topics in planning for NYSNA’s new structure, including timetables for convention delegate elections, orientations, and the convention; content of delegate trainings, and setting a date for the delegate convention.
• Broke into sub-groups to discuss topics for the 2018 NYSNA Strategic Plan, which included internal organizing, political agenda, and public health.
• Set dates for 2018 Board of Directors meetings.
• Announced Hermanuella Hyppolite as new Director of SPAN, and Jill Furillo as recipient of Italian Heritage Award.

NYSNA’s Voting Body met on Thursday, Oct. 12 at the end of the NYSNA Convention.

The Voting Body voted to approve three amendments to the NYSNA Bylaws:

1. The first change creates a Delegate Convention by expanding Congress and merging it with the Voting Body. The change also removes staggered elections for statewide offices and aligns them with delegate elections, shortens certain officer and board member terms, and extends term limits for those affected.
   
   Diane Groneman, the president of the Local Bargaining Unit at Peconic Bay Medical Center, amended this proposal to add the chair or president of each Local Bargaining Unit as an automatic delegate to the convention. This amendment passed.
2. The second change eliminates the election of officers for Practice Focus Groups, so that the PFGs will have more time for discussion and work.
3. The third change eliminates Constituent District Nurse Associations from NYSNA bylaws. These organizations may now join with NYSNA as organizational affiliates instead.

The full text of bylaws proposals is available here. A new version of NYSNA’s bylaws incorporating the amendments is being prepared.

Finally, the Voting Body awarded Honorary Recognition, NYSNA’s highest honor, to Anne Bové, for her years of dedicated defense of our public health system. More than a dozen local leaders spontaneously spoke to Anne’s dedication, and her Honorary Recognition was granted by acclamation.

At the September 19, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board

• Received reports on issues in each of NYSNA’s regions.
• Reviewed issues emanating from the Federal Office of Labor-Management Standards: reporting requirements become more restrictive, operational definition of a supervisor being in jeopardy, upcoming NLRB appointments, and increased time before a union vote allowing for more time to union bust.
• Discussed Graham-Cassidy Senate bill, the latest attack on the Affordable Care Act, and the need for aggressive advocacy to defeat the bill.
• Approved a motion to nominate Robin Krinsky of Mt. Sinai Hospital as Director at Large to fill the position vacated by Mary Ellen Warden.
• Received an update on the By-Law Amendment Campaign, including summaries of educational workshops, and a presentation for members covering delegate responsibilities.  Two forums are scheduled for additional explanation of by-law amendments.
• Discussed the schedule for the 2017 NYSNA Convention, including assignments and awards to be presented.
• Approved a motion to accept the recommendations of the Awards Committee.
• Approved a motion to accept the audit of NYSNA’s financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017, as recommended by the Committee on Finance.
• Reviewed the September 18 meeting to expand membership engagement.  Primary focus was on ensuring new hires and current members learn what a union is; what NYSNA is fighting for and how they can be a part of it; how to support these members to get involved.  Also reviewed training tools from the Labor Education Department.  Recommendation was made to consider increasing staff resources for both Labor Education and Nursing Practice.
• Approved a motion to endorse candidates in NYC, Southern Westchester, Dutchess County, Ulster County, and Nassau/Suffolk Counties, based on recommendations from the Political Action Committee.

Received an update on legislative efforts: Tara Martin was recognized for her advocacy work by the Queens Young Democrats; review of upcoming Constitutional Convention, and efforts to organize members and others to oppose the Convention

At the June 6, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board

• Received reports from regional directors on local issues.
• Reviewed the current landscape of safety-net funding, including distributing lobbying assignments, discussing results of Blue Ribbon Report that was poorly researched; follow-up study by NYSNA demonstrates public facilities are cost efficient and need more financial support.
• Approved a motion to revise the arbitration policy as submitted to the Board.
• Reviewed a report from the Member Engagement Committee.  A survey will be sent to all members.  Committee is currently seeking accreditation to convert CEs to college credit.
• Approved a motion to dissolve the Protected Action Fund (not accessed for more than 5 years) and refer current funding to the general budget.
• Received recommendations from the Structures Committee.  The committee recommended replacing Voting Body with a delegated convention; removing Practice Focus Groups; removing districts and replacing with affiliate recognition as presently outlined in the by-laws for other similar organizations.  The Committee also presented a review of current committee and council membership.
• Approved a motion to appoint committee and council members as submitted by the Structures Committee.
• Reviewed the Political Action Committee’s recommended endorsements.
• Approved a motion to accept the endorsements submitted by the PAC.
• Received a report on the October 2017 Convention at the Javits Center in New York City.  Possible guest speakers were discussed, along with the schedule of events and possible presentations.

• Reviewed regional issues, including town halls and political actions related to health care legislation, single-payer support activities, and the first annual meeting of the NYC H+H Board of Directors.
• Received reports on increased membership involvement and organizing efforts: Registration for Lobby Day is high, ratified contracts distributed to members, rounding of facilities, election of new LBU officers and delegates, POA campaigns, high inter-regional attendance, follow-up on contract implementation, successful outcomes for members wrongly impacted by labor relations decisions, and a review of alternate approaches to organizing among members of different generations.
• Evaluated the current landscape of healthcare and related issues: the recent American Healthcare Act (AHCA), the Blue Ribbon Commission Report from the NYC Mayor’s Office, and various Federal labor issues (NLRB, Office of Labor-Management Standards, possibility of national “right to work” legislation, and impact of the Supreme Court on the future of labor).
• Voted on 2 PAC Resolutions:
  a) to create a NYSNA Federal Political Action Committee
  b) to oppose the NY Constitutional Convention.
• The Board’s Nominations and Election Policy was reviewed and approved.
• Adopted a statewide program to identify, recruit, mentor, and develop new members as future leaders.  
• Agreed to develop a Structures Committee Action Plan.
• Planned for NYSNA’s Lobby Day in Albany, focusing on Scope of Practice, the AHCA, Enhanced Safety Net Legislation, safe staffing, and the NY Health Act.  Reviewed logistics and schedule for the day.
• Received a report on member education and internal organizing, recapping the successful Scope of Practice card campaign, development of NYSNA Member Guide, certification review classes, steward trainings, community work in conjunction with Social Justice Committee, and member engagement training.  
• Reviewed successful organizing efforts for Single Payer Lobby Day, and upcoming Climate Justice rallies in NYC and DC, as well as ongoing community education efforts for climate justice and single payer. Resolved to develop relationships with banking institutions with comprehensive policies regarding investment in energy sector consistent with fighting climate change.

At the February 7, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board: 

• Approved a motion to extend the Executive Director’s contract by two years.
• Reviewed and adopted the NYSNA 2017 Strategic Plan to promote safe staffing at the bargaining table and in the legislature; maintain and expand public healthcare systems across the state and ensure access to quality care in all systems; strengthen NYSNA; promote social justice and the public health; and develop union leadership.
• Reviewed the recommendations of the Structure Task Force.
• Approved the formation of the following new administration/operational Board-appointed committees:
  • Resolutions Committee
  • Leadership Development/Membership Engagement
  • Strategic Campaign Committees
  • Single Payer
  • Climate Change
  • Health & Safety
  • Retiree Health
  • Approved motions to appoint Patricia Holloman to the Council on Nursing Practice; to refer to the Structure Task Force the appointment of Audrey Graham to the Editorial Board; and to appoint Anthony Ciampa as chair of the Leadership/Membership Committee.
  • Approved a motion to adopt the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018.
  • Approved a motion, recommended by the Committee on Finance, to transfer the sale of the Latham, NY building to the NYSNA investment account.
  • Received a report on NYSNA’s strong attendance at a January 13-15 conference on Single Payer and the Affordable Care Act.
  • Discussed the New York State Budget, which the Governor failed to sign, and the need for budget advocacy to achieve similar financial outcome that Safety Net legislation would have brought.
  • Reviewed pending Right to Work legislation and Supreme Court nominee and their threat to progress by NYSNA and labor in general.  The Board will consider proactive initiatives to counter these developments.
  • Approved a motion to adopt the new NYSNA Conflict of Interest Policy.

At the November 10, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board: 

• Reviewed resolutions passed, defeated, and not considered by the Voting Body at the October 18, 2016 NYSNA Biennial Convention.
• Assessed Board Member evaluations of the Biennial Convention to further improve upon the successes and to further develop agenda and structure for Voting Body.
• Received report from financial auditor, who reported NYSNA received a “qualifying opinion,” the highest possible opinion.
• Thoroughly discussed and formulated NYSNA’s strategic plan for 2017, breaking into groups for intensive planning on Internal Organizing, Legislative Initiatives, and Public Safety Net.  Each group reported back and a draft of the 2017 Strategic Plan was created, with a final draft to be distributed at the next Board meeting.
• Explored options for NYSNA’s evolving structure and Board Policies & Procedures.  A report was presented on the structure of similar labor unions, and discussion will continue at the next Board meeting.

Hundreds of members from every region of our union convened the NYSNA Voting Body on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the end of the NYSNA Biennial Conference.

Voting Body is our union’s highest decision-making body. This year, we re-arranged the agenda to give more time to put forward and debate resolutions – and members submitted two dozen proposals.

We voted to pass resolutions on the following subjects:

• Our commitment to defend and expand our public sector hospitals.
• Our work to fight the corporatization of healthcare in Queens and Brooklyn.
• Supporting a universal single-payer healthcare system in New York State and beyond.
• Standing in solidarity with Long Island nurses at St. Charles and St. Catherine of Siena who have voted to authorize a strike.
• Supporting and expanding mental health services in Staten Island.
• Launching a comprehensive contract strategy process to prepare for the next round of bargaining.
• A private-sector member strike savings plan.
• Addressing the opioid epidemic.
• Organizing to build nurse power in upstate hospitals.
• Fighting for safe staffing ratios in our contracts.
• Expanding our work to train member-leaders.
• Two resolutions on making the fight for retiree health benefits a priority for our union and our union benefit fund trustees.
• Fighting the erosion of RN leadership roles from our union in our H+H bargaining units.
• Mobilizing for a rally for a fair contract at Westchester Medical Center.

The Board of Directors will be reviewing all the resolutions that we did not have time to discuss at our next board meeting.

  At the September 20, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board:

• Reviewed NYSNA’s strategic priorities and the role of the Executive Board in advancing member involvement, developing leadership, and overcoming challenges to labor and the nursing profession.
• Received reports on all private and public sector facilities, outlining resource allocation, member education, leadership development, and the provision of services to patients.
• Evaluated NYSNA’s organizational structure and moved to form a committee to examine the structure further and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
• Planned for NYSNA’s Biennial Conference, including registration, hotel, conference agenda, continuing education component, film screenings, and Voting Body.
• Received a report from the Finance Committee on NYSNA’s financial health, including the results of the independent Audit of Financial Statement rendering an unqualified opinion on NYSNA’s budget, the highest opinion possible.  

At the April 21, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board

• Received an update on internal organizing efforts: development of Sales Force database, issues concerning retiree members, and standardization of new member orientations.
• Reviewed NYSNA’s legislative agenda, including the recently-passed New York State Budget; report on election results from the NYSNA Political Action Committee; review of state election laws; and policy discussions.
• Discussed plans for the March 8^th Leadership Conference, focused on solidarity between public and private sector members.
• Reviewed April 13^th Lobby Day in Albany.  High turnout for the rally, good media coverage, productive meetings with elected officials, and appreciation from CWA for demonstrating in solidarity with them made for a successful day.
• Reviewed planning for the June 23^rd Public Sector Bargaining Conference & Congress.  Changes to the structure of Congress, distribution of the Strategic Plan to members, survey on environmental issues, and ways to increase open discussion during Congress were discussed.
• Received a report on the Labor Notes conference.  A good cross section of attendees were represented, with a focus on national and international solidarity.  Healthcare workers are united in fighting for safe staffing legislation.
• Received a report from the Finance Committee.  Two socially responsible investment funds were reviewed, as referred by Meketa investment consultants.  The recommendation will be considered at the June 2016 Finance Committee meeting.  The Board approved a motion to transfer one million dollars from investments to operations, with the goal of returning these funds back to investments within the current fiscal year.

At the June 2, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board

• Reviewed the Safe Staffing portion of the NYSNA Strategic Plan.
• Received an update on the progress of single payer healthcare legislation in NY.  The bill passed the Assembly on June 1, and twenty-two more votes are needed in the Senate to bring the bill to the floor.  NYSNA’s advocacy efforts have focused on multi-union support, educating members on the link between single-payer and safe staffing, and using the film “Fix It” as a teaching aid on the subject.
• Discussed NYSNA’s efforts to combat climate change.  The NYS Climate and Community Protection Act passed the Assembly on June 1 and is supported by NY Renews (coalition of unions supporting climate justice).  NYSNA will continue to address concerns on fracking, fossil fuels, dirty energy, transitioning to 100% renewables, creating sustainable green energy jobs, and public ownership of energy. 
• Received a report on the impact of the closure of Beth Israel Hospital, with a loss of 850 hospital beds, and the impact on affected communities.  Bellevue Hospital will end up covering the community previously served by Beth Israel, whose closure demonstrates the need for Enhanced Safety Net Hospital Legislation to provide financial support to hospitals serving the poorest populations.
• Approved a motion to follow the Finance Committee’s recommendation, for US equities, to divest from Vanguard Total Stock Market Index and invest those funds in the Calvert Large Cap Core US Responsible Index Fund, and for international equities, to divest from the Dodge Cox International Equity and invest those funds in Domini International Social Equity.
• Reviewed preparations for the NYSNA 2016 Biennial on October 17-18 at the Sheraton Times Square in NYC.
• Received an update on the Joint Public Sector Conference & Congress.  Nearly 350 members, including most of the Board, have signed up.  Politicians from the city, county, and possibly state will attend.  Theme will be solidarity between public and private sector around safety net funding.  A survey will be sent out to members to find out what issues they want to discuss.
• Performed a review of NYSNA policies, beginning with the history and evolution of NYSNA’s current policies.  The Board discussed recommendations for the Election Policy, the history of the Audit Committee, possible changes to Investment Policy, and clarified that members must remain in good standing for the duration of their term of service.  The recommendations were approved tentatively.  Further discussion was tabled until the full Board is present.

At the February 2, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board

• Reviewed NYSNA’s 2016 Strategic Plan, covering: social justice, safe staffing (including POA campaigns, staffing captain campaigns, city councils vs. state, and hospital re-design), single payer, climate justice, maintaining and expanding the public healthcare system across NY, advancing single payer, fighting the corporate healthcare agenda (including advocating against Friedrichs), organizing the unorganized, and developing union leadership.  The Board approved a motion to adopt the Strategic Plan as presented.
• Approved a motion to appoint Kris Powell, RN, to the Arbitration Appeals Panel, and Jayne Camissa, RN, and Martha Wilcox, RN, as alternates.
• Received NYSNA’s 2017 Financial Report and Budget from the Finance Committee, including investment policy and socially responsible investment funds.  The Board approved a motion to approve the 2017 NYSNA Budget as presented.
• Approved motions from the NYSNA Political Action Committee to endorse NYSNA’s affiliation with the Working Families Party.
• Reviewed the history of the pending Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case before the Supreme Court.  Discussed the possible impact of a ruling on right to work/anti-union advocacy efforts, the possible financial impact on NYSNA, and action to be taken to protect against negative outcomes by focusing on internal organizing in public and private sector.

At the Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board:

• Evaluated NYSNA’s 2015 Strategic Plan.
• Reviewed the Financial Report dated September 30, 2015, including investment policy and socially responsible investing.
• Discussed NYSNA’s delegation that traveled to Cuba to learn about the Cuban healthcare system.  A video, PowerPoint presentation, and article will be created to share with members.
• Discussed the Progressive Agenda Committee, whose goal is to lift the “floor” for working people and support working families.  A request for members was made.
• Recap of the OURWalmart hunger strike protests at home of company executive Alice Walton in Manhattan, protesting low wages and lack of benefits.
• Review of NYSNA’s 2016 Strategic Plan.  Discussion included: the public sector (organize all LBUs, study role and needs of public sector), internal organizing/contract enforcement (steward training, public relations, labor-management committees, DSRIP, contract enforcement, community assessment), and legislative initiatives (safe staffing, single payer).
• Approved a motion to continue NYSNA’s support of Trade Unions for Energy Democracy.

Caring for All New Yorkers – that was the theme of NYSNA’s 2015 Convention. And we turned that mission into action. We rallied with the community against the “bomb trains” filled with unstable fracking oil running through Saratoga Springs. Hundreds of leaders attended educational strategy sessions on POA campaigns, hospital restructuring, and organizing. We met with lawmakers to chart out our path to victory for safe staffing and healthcare for all. And on our way we home, we stopped our buses at the offices of Interim Health to rally against their outrageous racist “no Haitians” want ad.

You can see photos of our convention here and here, press coverage from our rally to raise awareness about the fracking trains here, and coverage of our rally in solidarity with Haitian RNs here.

Here are the official actions we took at the convention to chart our course over the next year:

• NYSNA’s Council on Nursing Practice passed a resolution on “Reclaiming our practice” recommending that the Board of Directors takes steps against management attempts to introduce lean production methods from factories into our units. The resolution calls on us to organize our new Professional Practice Committees to insist on a voice in hospital decisions, and share strategies from across bargaining units to resist management’s attacks on our practice.
• NYSNA’s Congress of Local Bargaining Unit Leaders discussed our successes in the past year and recommended to the Board of Directors resolutions on “Building a Movement of Nurses” and “Defending the Public Sector.” The resolutions set a goal of recruiting a leader on every unit and every shift of our facilities, to continue our efforts to resist privatization, to launch new advanced classes for NYSNA Stewards, and to reach out to nursing students.
• NYSNA’s President Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN reported to the Voting Body on resolutions we passed last year, including our expanding steward training program, our work among student nurses, and our successful efforts to build an alliance of unions opposing climate change.
• The Voting Body approved Honorary Recognition, NYSNA’s highest honor, for past president Patricia DiLillo, RN for her work to transform NYSNA into a democratic organization.
• The Voting Body approved posthumous Honorary Recognition for Joan Cumberbatch, RN, Nadia Jakoubek, RN, and Bernadette Bellantoni, RN, for their years of work to build NYSNA.

At the Friday, April 17, 2015 Board of Directors Meeting, our Board:

• Reported on the status of DSRIP. Important highlights include: stopping the proposal to allow private equity investors to own and operate hospitals in New York; creation of a DSRIP Public Advocate to protect interests of patients, communities, and workers; preventing the further erosion of Certificate of Need Regulations, keeping “public need” as a component of applications to build new primary care facilities; stopping the expansion of for-profit corporate ownership of “retail clinics” (primary care located in commercial stores) and the proliferation of urgent care centers without certificate of need oversight; expanded oversight for the Nurse Family Partnership Program, which assigns RNs to provide regular and continuing support and education to new mothers and their children for the first two years after birth; increased funding for City and County public health programs; ensuring the creation of Advanced Home Health Aides is done properly with clear definitions of nursing supervision and staffing ratios; job protections and rights for healthcare workers volunteering to fight the Ebola outbreak; increased capital funding for hospitals; increased funding for safety-net/Vital Access Providers; passage of the “Basic Health Plan” to extend the availability of health coverage for those falling between expanded Medicaid and private coverage under the Affordable Care Act; funding for the Department of Health to conduct a state-wide staffing study.
• Reviewed the status of the Voluntary Hospitals Contract Campaign, comprising 14 hospitals and the “Big Four” healthcare agencies (Columbia-Presbyterian, Montefiore, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, and Mt. Sinai). Approximately 4,400 members participated in an event on April 16, 2015. Ten-day notice can be filed on May 21.
• Received a report on organizing efforts, with midwives at Bronx Lebanon and mid-level providers at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital gaining recognition.
• Reviewed the plan for Lobby Day on April 21, focusing on safe staffing and single payer healthcare, including reviews of Lobby Leader Training and the schedule of the day.
• Reinforced the clarity of purpose of the Retired Nurses Action Network.
• Discussed the impact and nationwide expansion of “right to work” legislation—supported by the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Birch Society, and the Koch Brothers—and its impact on NYSNA through the legislation’s prohibition of union security agreements and reduction in collective voice.
• Reviewed plans for the October 19-21 NYSNA 2015 Convention, outlining planning for registration, hotel, transportation, the convention’s “NYSNA Caring for ALL New Yorkers” theme, and the schedule of activities. 

At the February 3, 2015 Board of Directors meeting, our Board:

• Approved a motion to continue our support for the Labor Campaign for Single Payer.
• Discussed NYSNA’s recommendations for the New York State budget. Our recommendations were sent to the governor, lawmakers, and other statekholders.
• Thoroughly discussed the importance of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program and our response to proposals to eliminate patient care services.
• Reviewed and discussed our successful implementation of our Strategic Plan in 2014 in detail, and approved our 2015 Strategic Plan.
• Approved the budget for fiscal year 2016.
• Discussed our work to win strong contracts that protect nursing and patient care.
• Took a group picture to post on Facebook in support of a former NYSNA nurse who is waiting a lung transplant.

At the November 18, 2014 Board of Directors meeting, our Board:

• Unanimously passed a motion commending the heroic work of Bellevue Hospital nurses who prepared and cared for New York’s first Ebola patient, humanitarian Dr. Craig Spencer.
• Discussed our response to Ebola outbreak, including working with facilities to institute proper preparedness protocols, our successful preparedness work with state and local health officials in New York, and our work with with the AFL-CIO and National Nurses United to win stronger protection from the federal government.
• Heard a report from the Finance Committee and established a committee to pursue socially responsible investment options.
• Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the 2014 Strategic Plan. We surpassed the goals we set forward in our plan last year. We discussed our ongoing work to pass safe staffing, defend our public healthcare system, win strong contracts, challenge the corporate healthcare agenda, and build our union. (The evaluation is available from download on the Members Only section of the NYSNA website.)

Our mission is to care for all. That's sums up NYSNA's new direction. And it's the subject of one of the motions we passed unanimously at our union's annual membership meeting, the Voting Body. 

NYSNA members held our annual meeting on the second day of our convention. More than 600 members set the course for our union — voting overwhelmingly for motions to expand our campaigns to resist outsourcing, win strong contracts, and guarantee healthcare for all. 

We also passed resolutions to make our work possible, including a resolution to hold a Steward's Conference in 2015. 

NYSNA President Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, ran the meeting and delivered a powerful address laying out how corporatization is putting patient care at risk. We also heard from Executive Director Jill Furillo, RN, Council on Nursing Practice chair Colleen Murphy, RN, Congress President Jacqueline Gilbert, RN, NYSNA Treasurer Pat Kane, RN, and NYSNA Secretary Anne Bové, RN. Bové introduced a series of resolutions passed by the HHC and Mayorals Executive Council – and received many congratulations from the floor on her work to win a strong HHC contract. 

We passed the following resolutions, almost all by nearly unanimous votes:

• A resolution recommended from the Council on Nursing Practice, to defend and advance our practice. The resolution calls on NYSNA delegate, leaders, and representatives to organize campaigns at the unit and facility level against the erosion of our practice. NYSNA's Council on Nursing Practice, Practice Focus Groups, and Nursing Education and Practice Department will serve as a clearinghouse for information and strategies to organize collectively to defend our practice.
• A resolution to oppose privatization at Westchester Medical Center. NYSNA will continue and expand our coordinated campaign to stop outsourcing practices that are hurting patient care at WMC.
• A resolution endorsing NYSNA's private sector bargaining platform.
• A resolution to work with lawmakers to amend state workplace anti-violence legislation to include a comprehensive set of measures to prevent violence against nurses and healthcare workers.
• A resolution about the mission of NYSNA and public sector hospitals, endorsing the model of child and elder care funds in the new HHC contract, a call for a coordinated campaign to roll back outsourcing in all healthcare institutions, and a call to implement an unprecedented coordinated campaign to make equal access to care and healthcare for all a reality in New York and the U.S.
• A resolution on student nurses, highlighting successful programs to educate new nurses, and calling on us to expand our work to mobilize student nurses to fight for safe staffing, climate justice, and healthcare for all.
• A resolution to deepen our work around climate justice, including continuing our educational workshops and working to expand the coalition of unions in this campaign.
• A resolution on training new leaders, including a one-day steward's conference in 2015.

Click here to download a copy of the resolutions we passed.

The Voting Body was just one part of our very successful Biennial meeting – one of the largest in our union's history. More than a thousand members attended two days of educational workshops and meetings. We were joined by many allies, including NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, State Senators Bill Perkins and Ruth Hassell-Thompson. And just before our meeting, busloads of nurses rallied in front of the Greater New York Hospital Association -- calling them out for blocking Safe Staffing. 

We are transforming NYSNA into a powerful voice to make healthcare for all and safe staffing a reality. Join our movement.

At the June 3, 2014 Board of Directors meeting, our Board:

• Heard reports from each board member on our work to win strong contracts, pass safe staffing legislation, and protect nursing practice. We discussed the corporatization of New York patient care, and our work to protect patient care.
• Discussed a report from our Finance Committee and appointed Martha Wilcox as a member of the Finance Committee.
• Discussed our new Retiree Action Network, which is getting retirees involved in our work in the legislature and communities.
• Approved two appointments to the Council of Nursing Practice, and appointed Carol Anne Lemon to represent the PAC and Mike Healy to represent the NYSNA Board of Directors to the NYSNA Council on Legislation.
• Set the date and location for the NYSNA 2015 Convention: October 18-21, 2015 in Saratoga Springs.

At the April 1, 2014 Board of Directors meeting, our Board:

• Discussed our March 26 Lobby Day and our plans to win Safe Staffing. On March 26 more than a thousand nurses held over 200 lobby visits to support Safe Staffing and the Community First Choice Program.
• Reviewed the success of our ongoing Steward Training program, which has trained 312 new workplace leaders across the state. Many Board members have taught classes in the training program.
• Reviewed the floor plans for the renovation of our new member space on the second floor of our New York City office. The entire second floor will be devoted to member meetings and education.
• Discussed the effect of climate change on healthcare and working people. Sean Sweeney from Trade Unions for Energy Democracy spoke on what unions are doing to stop climate change.
• Made plans to increase the participation of retired nurses in our campaigns for Safe Staffing and Healthcare for All.
• Passed a motion to extend the deadline for the Secor Scholarship application to June 1, 2014 and to notify the membership by email and in the NY Nurse. This scholarship was established from a generous bequest of a NYSNA member, Jane Secor, Ph.D., RN. Dr. Secor stipulated that the endowment be used for furthering nursing education.