For Immediate Release: October 27, 2022
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489

Nurses deliver petitions signed by hundreds of healthcare professionals calling on hospital administrators to negotiate in good faith 

After nearly a year of bargaining and holding informational pickets in August, nurses took the fight for a fair contract directly to Northwell Health executives 

New Hyde Park, NY - Members of the New York State Nurses Association who work at three Northwell Health facilities on Long Island are escalating their fight for a fair contract. In late August, nurses at Syosset and Plainview Hospitals held informational pickets to sound the alarm about the safe staffing crisis impacting patient care at both hospitals.  

Now nurses at the three Northwell hospitals who are in bargaining — Plainview, Syosset and South Shore — are joining together to demand fair contracts. Today, they delivered giant petition boards signed by hundreds of members to Northwell executives. The nurses marched on Northwell executive offices at 2000 Marcus Avenue in New Hyde Park, NY, demanding Northwell negotiate in good faith and bargain a fair contract that delivers safe staffing, fair wages and benefits, and strong health and safety protections.  

Northwell executives refused to accept the petitions.  

Chrysse Blau, RN, local president at Northwell/South Shore University Hospital, said: “We felt very disrespected that they refused to meet with us or even accept the petitions. Northwell executives still have a giant healthcare hero sign on their building, but they are not treating us, the frontline nurses, like heroes.” 

Nurses have been frustrated by the slow pace of progress at the negotiating table. NYSNA Director at Large Marie Boyle, RN, BSN, said: “The Northwell managers at the negotiating table are dragging their feet and disrespecting us. They don’t even seem empowered to make decisions. The longer we go without a contract, the more nurses leave, and the longer patients wait for improved conditions. We’re taking our message directly to the Northwell executives—the ones that do have the power to make decisions, but don’t ever set foot in our hospitals.” 

For pictures and video of today’s action, visit www.facebook.com/nynurses.

###