NYP-Gracie Square Nurses Picket to Demand Safe Staffing and Protections From Workplace Violence
For Immediate Release: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Emma Alabaster | press@nysna.org | 917-826-8646
NYP-Gracie Square Nurses Picket to Demand Safe Staffing and Protections From Workplace Violence
Psychiatric nurses call on hospital management to reach a fair contract that protects nurses and patients
NEW YORK, NY – New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) members at NewYork-Presbyterian Gracie Square Hospital, one of New York City’s few hospitals dedicated to psychiatric care, held an informational picket Thursday, calling on hospital management to agree to a fair contract that addresses chronic understaffing and strengthens protections from workplace violence. Gracie Square is part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Health System.
Nurses picketed outside the Upper East Side hospital throughout the day and held a morning press conference to draw attention to conditions they say are putting both nurses and patients at risk, including routine understaffing, excessive workloads and instances of violence resulting in injuries on the job.
Dozens of nurses joined the picket line, marching, chanting and holding signs.
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“We work hard to care for our patients, and yet management is proposing a new contract that does not show us the same care and respect,” said Mitch Rubin, RN, NYSNA Labor Bargaining Unit Vice Chair at Gracie Square. “Expecting us to do this difficult work while being understaffed, overworked and getting injured on the job? That leads to nurse burn-out or worse. We are asking to improve nurse and patient safety, and they are proposing to make conditions less safe!”
“Gracie Square management is asking the nurses who take care of some of the most vulnerable patients to accept a contract that makes them and their patients less safe,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN. “Nurses have been clear that we need safe staffing and workplace violence protections, and management should come back to the table ready to address those concerns.”
“Nurses at Gracie Square Hospital provide essential care to New Yorkers facing mental health challenges. They deserve safe staffing and meaningful protections from workplace violence,” said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright. “I stand with NYSNA nurses in calling for a fair contract that protects both caregivers and patients and urge hospital management to address their concerns at the bargaining table."
“The Gracie Square nurses care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They want and deserve a contract that reflects the importance of their work and keeps them safe while they care for their patients,” said Assembly Member Alex Bores. “It is well-documented that psychiatric nurses face serious risks of violence on the job. Asking them to give up staffing and workplace safety protections puts both nurses and patients at risk. I proudly stand with the NYSNA nurses at Gracie Square. New York-Presbyterian has the resources to do right by the working people who keep this hospital going. Management should come back to the table — now — and agree to a fair contract that will benefit both caregivers and patients.”
“Nurses are the frontline care workers that make our entire medical system work, and they deserve our respect and support to ensure the system works for them too,” said State Senator Liz Kruger. “The nurses at Gracie Square help to provide life-changing and life-saving psychiatric care, but their mission is undermined when they are overworked, understaffed, and working in unsafe conditions. I urge the management at Gracie Square to hear what their nurses are saying, and negotiate a fair contract that will serve the needs of nurses and patients alike.”
NYSNA nurses have been bargaining with Gracie Square management for months, and their previous contract has expired. Nurses say management has proposed givebacks at the bargaining table on safe staffing and workplace violence protections, even as nurses are pushing for greater investment in both areas.
Nurses said Thursday’s picket was intended to send a clear message that maintaining safe staffing levels and protecting healthcare workers from violence must be central to any new agreement.
NYSNA members are calling on Gracie Square management to return to the bargaining table and reach a fair contract that improves working conditions and protects nurse and patient safety.
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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.