NYSNA Update: June 13, 2025
Department of Health Enforces Safe Staffing Law, Levels Historic Fines Against Albany Medical Center
Approximately one year after beginning its investigation into Albany Medical Center, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) has finally leveled historic fines against the hospital, ordering Albany Med to pay $375,000 to the state for more than 500 violations of New York’s safe staffing law. These fines — the largest NYSNA nurses are aware of to date — are the result of tireless advocacy from NYSNA nurses at Albany Med who have continued to speak out about the staffing crisis at the hospital. Despite Albany Med CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna’s refusal to acknowledge the severity of the staffing crisis, these fines — alongside the settlement and the hospital’s admission of guilt — validate nurses’ concerns about the detrimental impact that understaffing has on patient care in the capital region. NYSNA nurses applaud the DOH for taking action, holding Albany Med accountable and showing hospitals across the state that no one is above the law.
The Times Union and WNYT reported on the DOH’s fines to Albany Med.
Albany Med nurses also returned to the bargaining table this week, as they continue to fight for the fair contract that capital region nurses and patients deserve. On the heels of the DOH’s announcement of these historic fines to the hospital and after last week’s speak-out, nurses turned out in droves to support their bargaining committee. Over 100 nurses attended bargaining on Thursday, June 12, to demand an end to the staffing crisis and to show Albany Med administrators that nurses won’t stop fighting until they secure a contract with a meaningful plan to recruit and retain nurses and enforceable safe staffing ratios. Keep up the great work, Albany Med nurses, because when we fight, we win!
Huntington Hospital Nurses Picket for a Fair Contract
Rain couldn’t stop Northwell Health/Huntington Hospital nurses from speaking out for safe patient care! NYSNA nurses at Northwell Health/Huntington Hospital showed up and walked the informational picket line on Tuesday, June 10, to send a message to management: “Nurses deserve a fair contract now!”
Long Island Jobs for Justice and fellow Northwell Health nurses from Plainview Hospital and South joined Huntington nurses at the picket line. Huntington nurse Erin Gray, RN, said, “We are here because NYSNA nurses want what is best for our community ... If Northwell Health wanted the same, management would agree to ratios that ensure there are enough nurses to safely care for patients and that they aren’t spread thin.”
See coverage of the picket on Huntington Now and News12.
NYSNA Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Speak Out Against Layoffs
NYSNA, 1199SEIU and Communications Workers of America nurses and healthcare workers rallied outside NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) Columbia on Wednesday, June 11, to speak out against the system wide layoffs. Pediatric nurse practitioners and palliative care nurses who were notified that NYP was laying them off gave powerful testimony about the impact this loss of staff and services will have on their patients, their colleagues and the community. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN joined the speak out saying, “Frontline nurses and caregivers make this hospital run. They make it amazing. And together we will fight to make sure this hospital STAYS AMAZING!” Union healthcare workers also expressed their deep frustration that as healthcare workers are fighting the federal government’s egregious attacks on Medicaid, they must fight their employer — one of the wealthiest healthcare systems in New York City — for taking advantage of this critical moment to put profits over patients.
Check out photos and videos from the speak-out, and stay tuned for more ways to support NYP nurses and healthcare workers in their fight back!