**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 2**: Nurses’ Strike at Montefiore New Rochelle enters Day Two

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2020  
Contact: Kristi Barnes | kristi.barnes@nysna.org | 646.853.4489   
Carl Ginsburg | carl.ginsburg@nysna.org | 917.405.1060

Nurses Continue to Raise their Voices in Solidarity from 7AM – 7PM, Speaking out for Safe Patient Care and a Fair Contract

New Rochelle, NY — Yesterday, approximately 200 nurses at Montefiore New Rochelle hospital participated in an Unfair Labor Practice strike, demanding safe staffing and a voice in patient care. They were joined by elected officials, labor and community supporters, who urged Montefiore to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract.

Today, nurses will again march on the picket line outside the hospital from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Their spirits will be lifted by live music and chanting throughout the day.  

Emergency room nurse Maria Castillo, RN, said: “What has Montefiore done since June? They put a bunch of billboards up on the highway. They bought TV commercials calling us "heroes." They want the community to think they appreciate us. The reality is, they would rather spend millions of dollars on their public image, instead of making sure we have enough nurses to care for everyone who is sick!”

Negotiations with the hospital stalled when the hospital refused to negotiate on the nurses’ top demand—hiring more nurses and improving safe staffing enforcement to ensure quality patient care.  The hospital also attempted to silence RNs from communicating with fellow RNs and restrict RNs’ ability to use social media.

“We would prefer to be inside with our patients, but we can’t do what we need to do without the right number of staff,” explained Shalon Mathews, RN. “We want a fair contract. We want to deliver safe patient care. We want to uphold the oath we took in nursing school—do no harm. Montefiore, we need you to hear us.”

WHAT: NYSNA Nurses ULP Strike for a Voice in Patient Safety: DAY 2  
WHO: Approximately 200 NYSNA nurses  
WHEN: Wednesday, December 2 from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, **Press availabilities throughout the day**  
WHERE: Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, 75 Glover Johnson Pl, New Rochelle, NY 10801

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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, please visit nysna.org.

About NYSNA

The New York State Nurses Association is a union of 42,000 frontline nurses united together for strength at work, our practice, safe staffing, and healthcare for all. We are New York's largest union and professional association for registered nurses.