NYSNA Nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital Speak Out for Patient and Nurse Safety
For Immediate Release: May 8, 2026
Contact: Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Eric Koch | press@nysna.org | 617-733-6891
NYSNA NURSES AT NYP-BROOKLYN METHODIST HOSPITAL SPEAK OUT FOR PATIENT AND NURSE SAFETY
Nurses Sound the Alarm on Rise in Workplace Violence, Demand a Fair Contract that Protects Nurses and Patients
With Contract Expired, Nurses Escalate Campaign for Safe Staffing and a Fair Contract
Brooklyn, N.Y.– Today, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital spoke out for a fair contract that improves patient and nurse safety. The contract for nearly 1,600 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, respect for nurses’ clinical judgement over artificial intelligence, fair wages and benefits, and more.
Several recent incidents of workplace harassment and violence, including an active shooter incident in January, have focused NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses on improving safety at the hospital. Starting in the early morning and ending in the afternoon, hundreds of nurses marched, chanted and carried signs in front of the hospital for an informational picket to raise awareness about their demands.
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Nurses have been bargaining for enforceable safe staffing standards to ensure there are always enough nurses to safely care for Brooklyn patients. The busy emergency department is often understaffed, increasing the risk of workplace violence.
Local NYSNA President at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Aldrich Crespino, RN, said: “Nurses are advocating to improve staffing at the hospital. We are fighting for minimum safe staffing standards to make sure our patients are always safe, and for expedited arbitration to address problems quickly when they arise.”
NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital has a history of fighting against nurses’ efforts to fix understaffing at the hospital. In August 2024, the nurses brought hospital management to arbitration over understaffing in four interconnected units—labor and delivery, pediatrics, pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) and neonatal ICU. NewYork-Presbyterian used its substantial resources on legal maneuvers to delay the hearing, avoiding accountability to this day.
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.
NY-Brooklyn Methodist nurse and NYSNA local leader Sharonda Green, RN, said: "Recently, many nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist have experienced and been victims of a multitude of abusive and violent incidents, including sexual assaults and witnessing fatal events. During bargaining, we proposed several solutions to provide a safe environment for our patients and staff. It's time for management to listen to the nurses."
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: “Nurses and patients in Brooklyn deserve the same safety and respect as NYP nurses and patients in Manhattan. NewYork-Presbyterian needs to do the right thing and negotiate a fair contract with NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses. If other New York City private sector hospitals, including safety-net hospitals, can deliver safe staffing, protections from workplace violence and fair wages and benefits, so can NewYork-Presbyterian in Brooklyn.”
NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses have been escalating their campaign 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.
Assembly Member Robert Carroll said: “I am proud to stand with the nurses at New York Presbyterian Methodist Hospital and support their demands for a fair and equitable contract that ensures sufficient staffing and strong workplace health and safety protections. Our community depends on the nurses at Methodist and they deserve a contract that enables them to best serve patients and working conditions that afford them respect.”
“Every day, nurses show up for their patients with compassion, professionalism, and care. They deserve contracts that respect the essential work they do and recognize the critical role they play in our communities. I am proud to stand with NYSNA nurses at Brooklyn Methodist as they fight for a fair and equitable contract,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.
Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest said: “The nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist are fighting for the same thing every nurse in this city is fighting for: enough staff to do this job the way our patients deserve, and the right to come home safe. NewYork-Presbyterian has the resources to settle a fair contract. What they're showing Brooklyn right now is that they don't have the will. That has to change, and I stand with these nurses until it does."
City Council Member and Council Hospitals Chair Mercedes Narcisse said: “NYP Brooklyn Methodist nurses deserve a contract that reflects the work they do for our community every day. When hospitals refuse to bargain in good faith, it's not just nurses who pay the price. It's the patients and families who depend on them. I stand with my fellow nurses and call on the administration to come to the table and get this done.”
City Council Member Alexa Avilés said: “I am proud to stand in solidarity with NYSNA nurses in Park Slope. These strong healthcare workers put in the hours and effort to ensure that our neighbors are healthy and safe. Their workplace protections are invaluable for our communities. They ensure better care and support for those in need.”
City Council Member Kayla Santosuosso said: “I stand with the Nurses of NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in their fight to secure a fair contract. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and deserve fair wages and benefits. I urge the hospital administration to engage with the union in good faith and listen to the needs of those on the front lines of healthcare.”
"CUFFH stands with nurses at Presbyterian Methodist Hospital as they begin their contract negotiations this Month. Their work is vital in keeping our community safe and healthy in Central Brooklyn. In 2026, we can't wait any longer -- nurses need safe staffing to support patient care, fair wages and job protections. We look forward to the hospital respecting the strength and power of the union and will support and recognize NYSNA and our nurses however we can as they push for a fair contract!” — Rob Solano, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH).
“All workers deserve safety and dignity on the job, and for nurses that means safe staffing, fair wages, worker protections, and quality patient care from nurses, not artificial intelligence. ALIGN stood with NYSNA during the largest nurses’ strike in our city’s history, and we stand with NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses now, who deserve the same standards as their union siblings in Manhattan. Invest in patients by investing in nurses — deliver a fair contract,” said Theodore A. Moore, ALIGN Executive Director.
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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