NYSNA Nurses Hold Candlelight Vigil at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital to Highlight Workplace Violence

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, MAY 26 AT 8 PM**

Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Eric Koch | press@nysna.org | 617-733-6891

NYSNA NURSES HOLD CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT NYP-BROOKLYN METHODIST HOSPITAL TO HIGHLIGHT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Nurses Speak Out About Rise in Workplace Violence, Demand a Fair Contract that Protects Nurses and Patients

Brooklyn Elected Officials Send Letter Calling on Hospital Executives to Bargain a Fair and Timely Contract

Brooklyn, N.Y.– On Tuesday, May 26, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP)-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital will hold a candlelight vigil outside the hospital to call attention to the rise in workplace violence. The contract for approximately 1,400 nurses at the hospital expired on April 30, and nurses are demanding a fair contract that delivers enforceable safe staffing standards, protections from workplace violence, and more.

Several recent incidents of workplace harassment and violence have focused NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses on improving safety at the hospital. Earlier this month, hundreds of nurses picketed the hospital and spoke out, detailing recent violent incidents that have left nurses injured and shaken.

Several of Brooklyn’s elected officials joined NYSNA nurses on the picket line. Today, elected leaders sent an open letter to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital executives to “express strong support for the nurses at your facility and to urge the hospital administration to bargain in good faith and swiftly reach a fair contract.” Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Jabari Brisport, Assemblymember Robert Carroll, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, Councilmember Shahana Hanif, Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, Councilmember Alexis Avilés, Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso, and Councilmember Lincoln Restler signed the letter.

WHO: NYSNA nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital

WHAT: Candlelight vigil for workplace violence protections

WHEN: Tuesday, May 26 at 8 p.m.

WHERE: NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
506 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

**Photos and video will be available at https://www.facebook.com/nynurses/ after the vigil**

Local NYSNA President at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Aldrich Crispino, RN, said: “Nurses are resilient, but we also need better protection on the job and support from management when we are threatened, attacked or injured at work. We want NYP-Brooklyn Methodist to negotiate a fair contract that protects patient and nurse safety.”

Nurses experience some of the highest rates of workplace violence. Protection from workplace violence is another priority in the wake of a rising tide of violence in the hospital. From an active shooter incident in January to several incidents where nurses were harassed, groped and assaulted, nurses are looking for stronger protections, including a behavioral health rapid response team to deal with patients or visitors in mental health crisis.

Nurses at the May 8 info-picket and at the May 26 candlelight vigil recounted being attacked at work and witnessing the police-involved shooting at the hospital in early January.

This contract fight comes on the heels of the largest and longest nurses strike in New York City history, where nurses at several hospitals including NewYork-Presbyterian won improvements to enforceable safe staffing standards, workplace violence protections, safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, protections for our most vulnerable patients, and fair wages and benefits.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said: “It’s past time for NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital to negotiate a fair contract with NYSNA nurses. Nurses in Brooklyn and everywhere deserve to work in safe conditions with staffing standards that protect their patients and practice.”

NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses have been escalating their campaign for a fair contract. On May 8, hundreds of nurses held an informational picket and spoke out alongside community and elected allies for a fair contract. On April 24, nurses showed their solidarity by wearing buttons at work reading “Fair Contact Now” and “Safe Nurses = Safe Patients.” On the same day, dozens of members gathered at bargaining to deliver a petition of their bargaining priorities to management signed by over 1,100 RNs. Nurses have also been busy reaching out to the surrounding community. Approximately 50 businesses have put up store signs in solidarity with NYSNA 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