Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist Hospital are fighting for a fair contract that respects and retains nurses. However, NYP management refuses to deliver a contract with good wages and benefits, safe staffing, and no givebacks!

When their contract expired, nurses escalated their fight and walked the informational picket line on Thursday, May 4. Hundreds of nurses were out in force demanding hospital executives give nurses a fair contract.

They were joined by fellow healthcare workers, union members, and community and elected leaders, such as New York Comptroller Brad Lander and Assembly Members Robert Carroll and JoAnne Simon, as well as City Council Members Mercedes Narcisse, Sandy Nurse and Lincoln Restler. The speakout and picket line were featured in 1010 WINS, Politico, NY-1 and News 12. Several small businesses across Park Slope also showed solidarity with NYSNA nurses fighting for a fair contract at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist by putting up “Listen to the Nurses” posters in their storefronts.

Unfortunately, management’s response to the informational picket was to reiterate its demands for staffing cuts on several units, unsafe floating proposals, and proposing givebacks on retiree health. Meanwhile, management is denying nurses’ proposed improvements to staffing, leave of absence, vacation, and more.

NYP Brooklyn Methodist nurses have approved a strike authorization vote with 99.6% voting yes! Striking is always a last resort but nurses are ready to do whatever it takes for nurses and our patients. 

NYSNA member leader Sharonda Green-Carter, RN, said: “We don’t take striking lightly, but our members are united and prepared to strike if NYP-Brooklyn Methodist gives us no other option. Despite many bargaining sessions, hospital administration is still proposing staffing cuts that we find unacceptable and that would compromise the care we are able to deliver to our patients.”

If NYSNA nurses cannot reach a tentative agreement, they would have to deliver a 10-day notice before going out on strike.

NYSNA member leader Aldrich Crispino, RN, said: “We want NYP-Brooklyn Methodist to come to the table and negotiate in good faith for a fair contract that respects nurses and our patients. Our Brooklyn community deserves quality care, and we are ready to fight and do whatever it takes to deliver the best possible care.”