Nurses and nurse practitioners from New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health rallied Sept. 5 as contract negotiations began.
The workers, represented by the New York Professional Nurses Union, work at Northwell Health facilities in New York City—Lenox Hill Hospital, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital and Lenox Health Greenwich Village. They seek increased staffing levels and wages, particularly in maternal-child health, as well as paid leave.
"NYPNU is demanding Northwell Health update … safe patient limits to align with current national recommendations as well as acknowledge the economic realities that New York City nurses face, including burdensome student loan debt and higher costs of living," union officials said.
The rally coincided with the 30th anniversary of a historic strike by Lenox Hill Hospital workers.
Lenox Hill Hospital spokesperson Barbara Osborn told Becker's: "As always, our goal is to reach a fair contract. We are proud of the excellent care our dedicated nurses provide, and we are committed to bargaining in good faith. We look forward to positive and productive negotiations with NYPNU, so we can continue to provide the highest quality care to our patients."
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