For immediate release: Tuesday, September 6
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | (646) 853-4489
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TOMORROW, SEPT. 7**
NYSNA Nurses to Rally Demanding Westchester Medical Center Provide Safe Staffing and a Fair Contract
Valhalla, NY– Members of the New York State Nurses Association at Westchester Medical Center will rally outside the hospital on Wednesday, September 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The picket comes as contract bargaining negotiations continue and nurses have spoken out on the need for safe staffing in critical care units.
Nurses will highlight how Westchester Medical Center administration has failed to listen to its nurses and continues to refuse to put the safe staffing ratios they negotiated as part of New York’s staffing law into the nurses’ union contract.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Westchester Medical Center nurses working on the frontlines have been understaffed and under-resourced. They have not received COVID-19 bonus pay unlike healthcare workers at many other hospitals, while hospital executives received raises and large bonuses.
Nurses at Westchester Medical Center join the over 30,000 NYSNA members who will be bargaining contracts for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. NYSNA nurses are bargaining for improved patient care, including safer staffing levels, better pay and working conditions to recruit and retain nurses.
NYSNA nurses are demanding that Westchester Medical Center come to the table and negotiate a fair contract that respects nurses and patients and will help deliver the safe staffing and quality care that patients deserve.
WHO: Nurses, Assemblymember Tom Abinanti, Westchester County Legislator Damon Maher, and other labor, elected and community supporters. One-on-one media interviews with nurses, elected leaders and allies.
WHERE: Westchester Medical Center, Across main entrance 101 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY
WHEN: Wednesday, September 7
TIME: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
VISUALS: Nurses chanting and marching with signs in front of the hospital.
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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, visit nysna.org.
