A Weekly Update for NYSNA Members   |   April 17, 2025  

Dear NYSNA Member, 

Nathan Littauer Nurses Speak Out for a Fair Contract

After marching on the boss last week, NYSNA nurses at Nathan Littauer Hospital held a speak-out on Thursday, April 17, to demand a fair contract. They called on management to settle the fair contract that nurses and patients deserve. Nurses are fighting to ensure that the only hospital in Fulton County can meet the community’s needs and provide safe, quality patient care. That’s why their top contract demands include safe staffing and respectful wages and benefits to keep qualified nurses at the bedside.

If management continues to drag its feet and fails to bargain a fair contract, nurses will conduct an informational picket on Thursday, April 24. Show support for Nathan Littauer nurses by signing their petition here.  

H+H Nurses Keep Up the Pressure to Reverse Sick Leave Policy

New York City Health+Hospitals (H+H)/Mayorals nurses continue to fight back against a punitive sick leave change that reduces nurses’ sick leave and pressures them to work sick. Nurses have been demanding a return to past practice so nurses and hospital leaders can focus on the existential issues the health system is facing, like the looming federal cuts to Medicaid. On March 18, nurses turned out in force to the H+H annual meeting at Gouverneur hospital to speak out against this change. Nurses also organized a sticker campaign reminding hospital administration that, “If We Work Sick, Our Patients Can Get Sick!” But H+H leaders have so far failed to reverse this policy.

H+H Nurses are not backing down. They will keep up the pressure by holding a rally and speak-out at Kings County Hospital on Wednesday, April 23. Additionally, they are organizing to bring their concerns directly to the H+H Board of Directors at South Brooklyn Health Hospital on Thursday, April 29. Nurses will continue to fight until H+H leaders do the right thing and reverse this unfair policy to maintain a healthy workplace for nurses, patients and the public. 

Oneida Nurses Gain Canvass Community for Support in Fair Contract Fight

NYSNA nurses at Oneida Health visited local businesses on Wednesday, April 9, asking them to post signs in support of nurses’ fight for a fair contract.  Business owners and patrons were eager to show their support and spread the message to Oneida Health that they should “Listen to their Nurses,” come back to the table, and bargain the fair contract patients and nurses deserve.

NYSNA Nurses Show Up to Defend Social Security

NYSNA nurses joined congresswoman Nydia Velázquez in front of the Social Security Administration building in Brooklyn in a national day of action to protect Social Security. Nurses have a message for the unelected billionaires trying to raid our public funds to line their own pockets: “Hands Off!” our data and our retirement benefits.

Nurses joined Velázquez to demand that the federal government reinstate the workers unjustly cut from the agency, reopen field offices and stop the attacks on working people’s hard-earned benefits.

Support Nurses in Need! Help NYSNA Raise Funds for Nurses House, Inc.

Nurses House, Inc. has launched its fifteenth annual “Dolphins for Nurses” campaign to raise funds for registered nurses in need throughout the United States. The fundraising campaign, sponsored by the NYSNA, will run from April 12-May 12, culminating in National Nurses Week. The campaign invites nursing groups and staff at hospitals nationwide to fundraise by offering white, gold, and blue dolphin cards in exchange for $1, $5 or $10 donations. All proceeds will be put towards the Nurses House Service Program to benefit nurses facing serious health issues and other dire circumstances.  

Help us meet our goal by donating via the NYSNA fundraising link and support fellow nurses in need.  

Know Your Rights and Advocate for Patients When Encountering ICE

Nurses’ first duty is to care for and advocate for our patients. NYSNA nurses care for all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, income or insurance status, race, religion, ability or disability, sexuality, or gender identity or expression — simply regardless. Read our statement regarding the federal policy change on immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations,” including hospitals and schools. 

NEW: Our allies at the New York Immigration Coalition developed this toolkit to provide a comprehensive list of resources for community members, partners and allies who work with immigrants. The toolkit covers health, community safety, family resources, financial empowerment and more.

Learn your rights and get answers to frequently asked questions here to know what to do if you encounter ICE officers in your facility. 

NYSNA has also prepared this list of legal resources related to immigration. Please review and share widely. 

NYSNA President Joins Townhall With House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, joined congressman and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at a town hall on Tuesday, April 15. The town hall focused on the devastating impacts of Medicaid cuts. Hagan’s facility, Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, sits in Jeffries’ district. Hagans had a clear message for the congressman and the audience: “Nurses are ready to fight to protect Medicaid and our right to health care!" Watch a video from the town hall here.

NYSNA Members Speak at Town Hall Against Healthcare Cuts With Congressman Pat Ryan

On Tuesday, April 15, over 100 community members and union leaders attended a town hall that congressman Pat Ryan hosted. The town hall focused on two critical issues impacting nurses and the larger Hudson Valley community: healthcare consolidation and cuts to Medicaid funding. It featured NYSNA Treasurer Margaret Franks, BSN, RN, as one of the presenters.

Franks expressed that nurses who live and work in the Hudson Valley community are concerned about state of healthcare in the area. She pointed out that the talking points from healthcare corporations about mergers improving patient care and efficiency do not match up to her experience as a nurse and community member. Franks gave the example of Optum, a UnitedHealthcare subsidiary, which dramatically worsened care and working conditions at CareMount Medical and Crystal Run Healthcare after taking over. She reminded Ryan and the audience that for the Hudson Valley to thrive, nurses and constituents need more quality, affordable healthcare — not profit-driven consolidation and Medicaid cuts. She also asked the congressman to send a message to Washington: “Hands off our healthcare! Stop the cuts!” 

NYSNA Endorses Justin Brannan for NYC Comptroller

NYSNA nurses proudly endorsed Council Member Justin Brannan for New York City Comptroller. Brannan has been one of NYSNA’s strongest allies in New York City and has supported nurses during major battles. As finance chair of the City Council, he supported NYSNA H+H members’ historic campaign for pay parity, an issue of health and racial equity for New York City; has consistently advocated for safe staffing for our communities; and has tirelessly fought for dignity and respect for our nurses. Brannan has continually stood in solidarity with workers across the city and holds employers across all industries in New York accountable. Read NYSNA’s full press release about the endorsement here.

Key Dates for 2025 Primary Election

Our ability to strengthen the public health system — our social safety net — and support frontline working people depends on electing candidates who support nurses, healthcare professionals and our communities. For that, we need our members to get out the vote in New York’s primary elections. Review important dates and information about this year’s primary below.

Find Your New York City Polling Site

Find Your New York State Polling Site

KEY DATES FOR 2025 ELECTION

• June 14: Last day to receive an absentee ballot  
• June 14-22: Early voting for the primary election 
• June 23: Deadline to apply in person for a primary ballot 
• June 24: Primary Election Day | Deadline to postmark mail-in ballot 

NEW Labor Education Courses and Spring 2025 Trainings Open for Registration

*NEW: Don’t miss our upcoming workshop, AI: Identifying How Artificial Intelligence is Being Used in Your Hospital, on Saturday, April 19, on Zoom. Use this link to register and invite your coworkers!

The April Member Leader Training series continues with members from across the state participating once again this Thursday for Part 3 (Organizing for Collective Advocacy to Build Unity and Engage the Healthcare Worker Community). Even if they missed parts 1-3, we encourage members to register for part 4 (Advocating for Healthcare Workers’ and Patients’ Needs Through Effective Campaigns and Contractual Committees) scheduled for next Thursday April 24, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The training is awarded 3 CHs.

Bargaining training continues as well. For newly joined Contract Action Team members and those looking for a refresher, join members from all NYSNA facilities that have launched their contract campaign to exchange information and learn from each other! There are two more trainings in April: Friday, April 25, at 10 a.m., What Is a Contract Action Team, and Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m., What Is a Contract Campaign. You can find the comprehensive schedule for April and May and the registration link.

Please reach out to labored@nysna.org with questions or requests for trainings in your facilities. 

NYSNA Life Insurance – It's Time to Designate Your Beneficiary

NYSNA already provides members with a great benefit at no cost: Basic MetLife Life Insurance! This coverage provides $20,000 of Basic Life Insurance and $20,000 of Basic Personal Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. All active members in good standing represented for collective bargaining through the union will automatically be enrolled in the plan. This union benefit is in addition to any other insurance provided by your benefits fund, your contract, or through your employer.

But for your loved ones to receive this benefit, you must designate them as a beneficiary! To enroll and receive instructions on designating a beneficiary for your new Basic Personal AD&D Insurance, go to nysnawinstonbenefits.com or call 1-866-483-1124. 

Sign up with your NYSNA Member ID to set up and access your account and benefits. If you need your Member ID, please contact the NYSNA Membership department at membership@nysna.org. Download the flyer for additional details.

NYSNA Will-Writing Benefits From MetLife 

The NYSNA Benefits Fund gives NYSNA members who are covered by the NYSNA Benefits Fund access to personal will preparation services that MetLife Legal Plans offer — at no additional cost.  

Having a will prevents unnecessary stress and ensures final wishes are clear. The Benefits Fund offers valuable legal resources through MetLife Legal Plans to assist with creating or updating a will with a member’s Basic Life coverage. As part of this benefit, members get legal guidance and unlimited consultations with network attorneys. Learn more here.  

NYSNA Members Are Eligible for AFL-CIO’s Union Plus Benefits!

The benefits of being a NYSNA member extend beyond your NYSNA benefits. As an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, NYSNA members are also eligible for Union Plus benefits to help current and retired labor union members and their families save money and support them through major milestones, celebrations and hardships. These benefits include discounts on wireless plans, credit card deals, mortgage deals, discounts on insurance plans and more! Find out more on the AFL-CIO Union Plus website. 

Free Benefits for NYSNA Members: UAP Program and SPAN Program

The Union Assistance Program (UAP) is a confidential self-help program, independent from NYSNA, that is available to NYSNA members and their families as a membership benefit. When an employee or family member (18 or older) faces a significant personal problem, they can call UAP’s experienced counselors at 800-252-4555 for assistance at any time. Read more information on phone counseling services here.

Learn about the benefits and resources that the UAP offers here. The April 2025 newsletter focuses on rethinking drinking for your health. 

Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) is a confidential education, support and advocacy program for all nurses licensed in New York state who are dealing with substance abuse problems. Visit the SPAN website for more information, or to sign up for one of its March classes. Learn more about SPAN’s new Compassion Project here. Check out our NEW Spring Newsletter.

Wellness Wednesdays: As part of its mission to promote a healthy lifestyle, SPAN is also offering a Self-Care Series that includes free Wellness Wednesday courses. Check out April’s classes focused on functional mobility as well as the full calendar of Wellness Wednesday offerings here.

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