**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 31, AT 1 PM** 

Contact: Diana Moreno | press@nysna.org| 917-327-2302
Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org| 646-853-4489

NYSNA nurses from Erie County Medical Center will speak out outside hospital to demand a fair contract that includes workplace safety and safe patient care measures

Buffalo, N.Y.– After more than eight months at the bargaining table, NYSNA members from Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) and Terrace View Long-Term Care will hold a speak-out and press conference on Wednesday to demand workplace safety and a fair contract. Nurses call on hospital administrators to start negotiating in good faith to address workplace safety concerns and invest in nurse recruitment and retention efforts to ensure safe patient care.

While nurses recently won an important workplace safety demand when the hospital tentatively agreed to install metal detectors to prevent weapons from entering the facility, administrators continue to demonstrate a lack of willingness to engage with nurses on crucial issues such as nurse recruitment and retention and safe staffing. As the hospital CEO Tom Quatroche plans a lavishly expensive gala on Saturday, June 3, nurses are demanding he invest in patients’ health and safety instead of parties by prioritizing safety for healthcare workers and the community.  

WHO: NYSNA nurses from Erie County Medical Center.

WHAT: Speak-out and Press Conference on Safety and Staffing Crisis at ECMC.

WHERE: Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider St, Buffalo, NY 14215

WHEN: Wednesday, May 31 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

VISUALS: Dozens of nurses holding signs, marching and chanting. Nurses will describe conditions in the hospital and detail the fight for safety and a fair contract.

“While nurses are working to safeguard patient safety by coming to the table with real proposals to improve nurse recruitment and retention, hospital administrators have responded with blatant disrespect by showing up late with little to no proposals and refusing to engage with us,” said Crystal Knihinicki, RN. “We will continue showing up in good faith until we have a contract that reflects the respectful wages and benefits nurses need to sustain safe staffing levels and provide the quality care our patients deserve."

“It’s been extremely difficult to witness my colleagues face assault and violence at work without support or even a clear process from management.” said John Batson, RN. “As an Erie County Medical Center nurse of over 20 years, I know we can do better by our nurses and our patients. But in order to do that, we need management to show some leadership and listen to the nurses.”

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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.