Strike Averted For LI Northwell Hospitals As NYSNA Nurses Signed Tentative Agreements

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Three Long Island Northwell hospital nurses have signed tentative agreements on new contracts, averting a strike, NYSNA said.

Northwell Syosset Hospital and Northwell Huntington Hospital nurses signed theirs on Friday, and Northwell Plainview Hospital nurses signed theirs a few hours prior, late Thursday night.

NYSNA said the days leading up to the signing of the tentative agreement were full of negotiations, late-night bargaining sessions, and discussions– they spent an incredible amount of effort and time to make their voices heard. NYSNA nurses said they were fighting for safe staffing, safe patient care, and guaranteed healthcare benefits for nurses. They also fought for a real plan to recruit and retain enough nurses at the bedside, as some nurses stated they had up to 12 patients at a time in the emergency room.

When asked for a comment on the tentative agreements, Northwell Health responded to Patch with a statement:

"Northwell Health is pleased to have reached tentative agreements with NYSNA (New York State Nurses Association) at Huntington, Plainview, and Syosset hospitals. From the start of negotiations, our goal has been to reach a fair contract that supports our valued nurses and upholds the high standard of care our patients and community trust.

This agreement reaffirms our commitment of enabling a supportive work environment and provides our nurses with competitive compensation and benefits. We are pleased to move forward together and continuing to provide exceptional care for those we serve."

On Jan. 6, more than 200 nurses from the three Long Island Northwell hospitals packed the room during a late-night bargaining session. NYSNA said it was to show management their strength and how serious NYSNA nurses are about settling a fair contract.

Northwell Health was given the 10-day strike notice on Friday, Jan. 2.

"Long Island and New York City nurses are united and willing to do whatever is necessary to protect their patients and their communities," NYSNA said. "Striking is always a last resort, but nurses say they are prepared to strike if hospital administration gives them no other option."

NYSNA said thousands of New York City nurses took to picket lines on Monday morning as their strike began. As of Jan. 12, nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian are on strike. NYSNA said this is the largest such strike in city history.