MONDAY, OCT. 19: NYSNA to Host Virtual Town Hall on Northwell Health/Putnam Hospital Nurses’ Fight for Safe Staffing
*MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, OCT. 19*
Contact: Joseph Celestin | press@nysna.org | (518) 776-8337
Emma Alabaster l press@nysna.org l (917) 826-8646
NYSNA to Host Virtual Town Hall on Northwell Health/Putnam Hospital Nurses’ Fight for Safe Staffing
Hospital seeks prestigious nursing recognition while fighting against fair contract with safe staffing standards
NYSNA to present on concerning trends in Northwell’s acquisition of community hospitals
[VIRTUAL] - NYSNA members from Northwell Health/Putnam Hospital will host a virtual town hall meeting on Monday, Oct. 19 alongside elected officials and labor allies. Speakers will update the public on NYSNA nurses’ ongoing contract negotiations with the hospital, highlight staffing issues that nurses are facing and give a presentation on the challenges experienced when Northwell has purchased small, community hospitals and healthcare costs increase for patients. Nurses’ previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2025, and since last October, nurses have been bargaining for a new contract that prioritizes enforceable safe staffing standards to protect quality patient care.
WHO: NYSNA nurses at Northwell Health/Putnam Hospital
WHAT: Virtual town hall meeting to update the public on the status of contract negotiations including a push for enforceable safe staffing standards to protect patient care
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 19 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
WHERE: Virtual: bit.ly/putnamtownhall (Press must register)
Northwell has repeatedly ignored nurses’ input in establishing and maintaining staffing guidelines that ensure safe staffing and better patient outcomes. Nurses say that as the largest private employer in the state and one of the wealthiest healthcare systems, Northwell Health can afford to put staffing standards for Putnam Hospital in writing.
Concurrently, Northwell is pursuing Magnet Accreditation at several hospitals, including Putnam. Magnet status is the highest credential a hospital can receive for nursing excellence and quality patient care. Considering the ongoing staffing issues and Northwell’s refusal to settle a contract that includes enforceable safe staffing ratios, NYSNA nurses do not support their application for Magnet status.
The virtual town hall follows a nurse speak-out in June, and petition delivery this fall, signed by more than 1,000 community members calling on Northwell to settle a fair contract for nurses.
Visuals: nurse and elected official speakers, and a presentation about Northwell, New York’s largest private employer, which examines trends and past practices that should concern the staff and patients at Putnam Hospital.
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The New York State Nurses Association represents approximately 45,000 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.