'Long Island Deserves Better:' NYSNA Northwell Nurses Deliver 10-Day Strike Notice

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — New York State Nurses Association nurses at three Northwell hospitals have delivered a 10-day strike notice on Friday.

These notices will give hospital management ten days to respond with a fair contract– one that protects safe patient care and healthcare benefits for the nurses, NYSNA said.

If agreements are not reached, more than 1,000 NYSNA nurses would go on strike on Jan. 12, joining 20,000 nurses at 12 private sector hospitals in NYC.

Northwell Health was not immediately available for comment on the 10-day strike notice, but when asked for a comment on the strike authorization, Northwell Health responded to Patch with a statement on Dec. 23:

"Northwell Health values and invests deeply in our nurses and the essential role they play in caring for our communities. Our hospitals are engaged in ongoing, constructive negotiations with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and have consistently bargained in good faith. Our focus remains on reaching a fair and responsible agreement that supports our nurses and ensures the continuity of high-quality, compassionate care our patients rely on."

NYSNA Northwell nurses have been bargaining and speaking out about their union contracts for months.

NYSNA said they are fighting for safe staffing, a guarantee of their healthcare benefits, and a real plan to recruit and retain enough nurses at the bedside.

On Dec. 23, NYSNA Northwell nurses voted to authorize a strike, and they had until Dec. 31 to come to an agreement on their contract with Northwell Health.

Northwell has responded with delay tactics and proposals that provide unsafe staffing levels, such as requiring emergency room nurses to care for up to 12 patients at a time, NYSNA said.

Northwell nurses are continuing to speak up about the bargaining, including Meloi Policastro, RN at Northwell/Syosset.

“We are ready to settle fair contracts, but staffing continues to be a sticking point that Northwell will not budge on," Policastro said. "Nurses fight for our patients, and we will continue to fight for patients across Long Island until we get safe staffing ratios that ensure that our patients are safe and that we are able to give the best care possible.”

Grace Silva, RN at Northwell/Huntington, added that a strike is always a last resort.

"But we are willing to take this sort of action if it helps improve care on Long Island," she said. "We know Northwell can afford to invest in safe patient care, so there is no reason why we should be asked to care for patients under conditions that are untenable. If Northwell cares about this community, they need to ensure there are enough nurses at the bedside to safely care for patients. Long Island deserves better."

NYSNA said that they believe Northwell can afford to invest in safe patient care, and stated that in 2023, Northwell's top executives made more than $36.7 million in salaries, bonuses, and perks.

A new website and advertising campaign called 'Northwealth' was launched by NYSNA to bring attention to Northwell's executive pay.

NYSNA represents more than 5,225 members at seven facilities across Long Island and Staten Island. Chris Coburn, RN at Northwell/Plainview, added:

"Nurses on Long Island have never been more united. We hope this sends the message to Northwell that nurses are serious about improving care. We need change, and we need it now, because our patients deserve quality care and nurses deserve the health coverage that keeps us safe and able to give the care patients need."

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, BSN, RN, CCRN, said she is proud of the LI Northwell nurses.

"It’s not easy," Hagans said. "But nurses have shown that they’re determined and that they won’t stop until they get the fair contracts that nurses and patients deserve."

Across NY, NYSNA Northwell nurses have won strong and fair contracts in the past few years, including at Northwell/South Shore University Hospital, at LIJ Valley Stream, and at Peconic Bay Medical Center, NYSNA said.

NYSNA Northwell nurses sent a letter on Dec. 17 to the new President and CEO of Northwell Health demanding a fair contract. The letter, signed by more than 150 nurses from Plainview and Syosset hospitals, was delivered to John D'Angelo. Nurses have also held speak-outs demanding action, and have been fighting for months.