NYSNA NURSES AT NORTHWELL/HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL HOLD INFORMATIONAL PICKET AND SPEAK OUT FOR SAFE STAFFING AND A FAIR CONTRACT
For immediate release: June 10, 2025
Contact: Andrea Penman-Lomeli | press@nysna.org | 347-559-3169
Diana Moreno | press@nysna.org |
NYSNA NURSES AT NORTHWELL/HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL HELD INFORMATIONAL PICKET AND SPOKE OUT FOR SAFE STAFFING AND A FAIR CONTRACT
Huntington nurses demand Northwell stop dragging their feet and negotiate a fair contract with safe staffing, wages and benefits to help recruit and retain nurses, and respect for nurses
Huntington, N.Y. - On Tuesday, June 10, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at Northwell Health/Huntington Hospital spoke out about safe staffing and their fight for a fair contract. NYSNA nurses, who officially joined NYSNA in November 2024, have been negotiating with Northwell Health management for a fair contract with safe staffing standards, a plan to retain experienced nurses, and respectful wages and benefits for months. The hospital has stalled meeting nurses’ demands and has failed to meet the March 31 deadline the nurses made clear when they first started negotiations. NYSNA nurses are speaking out and demanding respect for patients, nurses, and the community.
Safe staffing is a major concern for nurses at Northwell/Huntington Hospital. They are demanding an enforceable staffing grid be included in their contract, in addition to the staffing plans required by New York’s safe staffing law. However, local Huntington Hospital administrators have repeatedly refused to agree to nurses’ plans, citing pressure from Northwell Health administration. Safe staffing in the emergency room is particularly challenging. As recently as Monday, June 2, Northwell/Huntington management said that they budget for and plan to staff units at the levels NYSNA nurses demand, but they are not willing to write it down in an agreement.
Erin Gray, RN, said, “We are here because NYSNA nurses want what is best for our community. They want patients to come to Northwell/Huntington and know they are getting the best care possible, from nurses who have the time to ask important questions and address all of their needs. If Northwell Health wanted the same, management would agree to ratios that ensure there are enough nurses to safely care for patients and that they aren’t spread thin. If Northwell wanted what was best for this community, it wouldn’t keep putting profits before patients. We will be out here sounding the alarm until we get what patients and this community deserve.”
NYSNA nurses at Northwell/Huntington know that Northwell can afford to hire and retain enough nurses for safe patient care. Northwell Health is one of the largest employers on Long Island and has some of the highest executive compensation packages. In 2023, Northwell’s President and CEO Michael Dowling raked in over $9 million in salary, benefits, and perks. Huntington Hospital, in particular, has been profitable for the Northwell system. In 2024, their operating profits were $49.6 million. For comparison, North Shore University Hospital, a hospital nearly three times as large, had an operating profit of $47 million. Meanwhile, NYSNA nurses struggle to pay for their health insurance and lack the same benefits that nurses at other Long Island hospitals have.
Karen Seminole, RN, said, “Many of us have given our entire careers to this community. We deserve to retire with dignity. When you don’t invest in safe staffing, nurses leave. And if Huntington wants experienced, talented nurses here, they need to invest in safe patient care and given nurses the wages and benefits they deserve.”
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said, “NYSNA nurses have shown their bravery and relentless energy for fighting for what they deserve. When they fought to join NYSNA, they showed their voice matters. Now they are fighting for their patients and demanding the hospital invest in safe patient care. NYSNA nurses at Huntington should know they have all 42,000 NYSNA nurses behind them in this fight.”
Nurses at Huntington officially joined NYSNA in November 2024. NYSNA nurses have been building power and winning strong contracts that protect safe patient care across Long Island, most recently at Northwell/South Shore University Hospital. NYSNA nurses will continue to speak out for safe patient care.
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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.