NYSNA Update: February 21, 2025
South Shore Nurses Begin Strike Vote
This morning, over 900 nurses at South Shore University Hospital/Northwell began voting to authorize a strike. The vote will continue throughout the weekend. South Shore nurses have been fighting for a fair contract since November to win safe staffing, improved wages and benefits that will help recruit and retain nurses and a voice in patient care. The nurses’ contract expires on Feb. 28, and instead of bargaining with nurses, Northwell executives walked away from the table on Friday, Feb. 14. It’s clear that Northwell can afford to invest in a fair contract that helps recruit and retain enough nurses for quality patient care but are choosing not to. In 2023, Northwell’s President and CEO Michael Dowling raked in over $9 million in salary, benefits and perks. The hospital system is projected to spend $530 million to expand the South Shore campus and is in the middle of purchasing Connecticut-based Nuvance Health. As one of the largest employers on Long Island, Northwell can afford to invest in their nurses and patients.
While striking is always a last resort, nurses are tired of Northwell’s behavior and management prioritizing profits above patient care. Nurses are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract. South Shore nurses have been getting ready by taking strike preparedness trainings with NYSNA’s Labor Education department, with approximately 100 nurses attending trainings this week. They’ve also been gathering support from union siblings, elected officials and community members. In a letter of solidarity sent to Northwell this week, approximately 20 Long Island labor unions called on Northwell to bargain a fair contract with nurses. South Shore nurses are also sharing a community petition and asking community members to sign on in solidarity with Long Island nurses fighting for fair contracts. South Shore nurses are joining other NYSNA nurses on Long Island who are actively bargaining for new contracts, including nurses at Northwell Huntington Hospital and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, some of the newest NYSNA members. Over 2,500 nurses at the three hospitals are united for quality care for all Long Island patients. members. Over 2,500 nurses at the three hospitals are united for quality care for all Long Island patients.
Wynn Nurses and Onondaga Nurses Sticker Up for Valentine’s Day Action
On Friday, Feb. 14, nurses at Onondaga County and Mohawk Valley Health System Wynn Hospital stickered up to tell management that nurses are undervalued, understaffed and underpaid. Nurses at both facilities used the Valentine’s Day holiday to keep up the pressure and let their employers know that the only gift they want is for management to bargain fair contracts with safe staffing and respectful wages and benefits. This action follows Wynn nurses’ successful march on the boss two weeks ago when nurses delivered a petition to management demanding a fair contract and Onondaga nurses’ “fair contract” sticker action.
NYSNA Joins Rally to Save Our Services and Stop Federal Layoffs
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, NYSNA rallied to “Save Our Services” in Manhattan and in Albany against mass layoffs, funding freezes and healthcare cuts. NYSNA joined elected officials and union members throughout New York demanding that the federal government and Department of Health and Human Services reverse these cuts and reinstate staff immediately.
NYSNA members are especially outraged at the cuts and mass layoffs at the World Trade Center Health Program, a program that cares for 9/11 first responders’ health and well-being. This vital program is critical to caring for those suffering from Ground Zero-related health conditions — it is not government waste! Read more about the program and the impact of federal cuts on ABC.