City edition | November 2016 New York the official publicationnurse of the new york state nurses association

Monica Wallace (D143) A

Terrence Murphy (D40) S Marisol Alcantara (D31) S Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D35) S

Michaelle Solages (D22) A Addie Russell (D116) A Todd Kaminsky (D9) S Carrie Woerner (D113) A

Angelo Santabarbara Crystal D. Peoples- (D111) A George Latimer (D37) S Stokes (D141) A Phil Steck (D110) A

Wins for NYSNA on Nov. 8 pp. 5-7, 10 New Yorkers elected candidates to the State Senate and Assembly that will stand up for quality patient care.

nysna.org New York State Nurses Association @nynurses NYSNAVoices 2 New York Nurse november 2016 In the front line recent nurse graduate in my facility approached We need to take ownership of our successes— me the other day, confid- these give us the strength to continue. ing her worries regarding Anightmares she was having about work. The dreams mostly centered Advocating for quality care on bad outcomes for her patients Nurses aren’t apathetic — we are or emergencies she couldn’t handle. frustrated and demoralized when By Judy Sheridan- She would always wake up with the we see our practice being eviscer- Gonzalez, RN sense that she forgot to do some- ated by decision-makers who have NYSNA President thing in her previous shift or inad- no connection to our patients. All vertently made some fatal error. the more reason to take pride in I told her not to worry, that such every victory we win through con- dreams were fairly common for certed union activity. Whether it’s new nurses and would pop up time more blood pressure cuffs, work- and again throughout her career. ing thermometers, mold removal, Then I had to think about that. an extra nurse, removal of a bul- Why do nurses shoulder so much lying manager, a fair contract of the blame for the failures of our with concrete gains — these things healthcare system? When anything really matter on a day to day basis. goes wrong, where do fingers get And imagine what life would be pointed at first? We are in the without them... front line — the easy targets — for We need to take ownership of patient and family frustrations. feel that it is our unit that serves as our successes — these give us the While terribly unfair, that is the hospital’s “dumping ground.” strength to continue. We also need almost understandable because — When people work hard, yet find to recognize that the real battles, who else is accessible? little satisfaction; when the vision the bigger things, require an even we had for our profession or for higher level of internal education Who else is accessible? our lives seems unreachable; when and organization in each facil- Not the CEOs, CFOs, COOs and we sense that we are exploited and ity and on each unit. This will be Advocating for patients. Advancing the profession.SM CNOs who make the money deci- that the system is stacked against crucial as we enter a potentially Board of Directors sions that lead to staffing shortages us — we feel helpless, depressed President without reasonable accommodations and angry. Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, MSN, FNP and appropriate supports; not the Wouldn’t it make better sense for First Vice President Marva Wade, RN insurance companies who deny care nurses, instead of being angry, to Second Vice President and charge co-pays, co-insurance, try and address the root causes of Anthony Ciampa, RN deductibles, premiums and out- these conditions and develop solu- Secretary of-pocket fees; not Big Pharma tions that can change them? Anne Bové, RN, MSN, BC, CCRN, ANP that raises drug prices beyond the Treasurer Patricia Kane, RN stratosphere. So who’s left to bear Identify the root cause Directors at Large the brunt of questions, worries, com- In our hospitals, the top execu- Kevin Donovan, RN Jacqueline B. Gilbert, RN plaints and confusion? Us. tives are those ultimately and Nancy Hagans, RN What is NOT excusable is the directly responsible for staff- Tracey Kavanagh, RN, BSN Lilia V. Marquez, RN blame visited upon nurses in a sys- ing, financial decisions and Sean Petty, RN, CPEN tem prone to negative outcomes. work practices, yet we never Nella Pineda-Marcon, RN, BC Karine M. Raymond, RN, MSN In reality, we nurses are our really deal with them directly. Verginia Stewart, RN own worst critics when we make Instead, they hand over the work Mary Ellen Warden, RN mistakes! But, instead of getting to Human Resources, Nursing Regional Directors Southeastern Yasmine Beausejour, RN support, sympathy and analytic Administration and a variety of Southern Seth B. Dressekie, RN, MSN, NP feedback, we face ever more puni- other administrative personnel. Central Ethel Mathis, RN Lower Hudson/NJ Jayne Cammisa, RN, BSN tive action. No wonder we have Our testimony, grievances, com- unprecedented era of anti-union Western Sarah Annabelle Chmura, RN nightmares. plaints and issues often fall on deaf activity. Eastern Martha Wilcox, RN Nurses blame one another as ears. Why? Because those who are No one nurse can move the

Executive Editor well. Inter-shift, inter-unit, inter- assigned to sit with us have little or mountain of healthcare chaos that Jill Furillo, RN, BSN, PHN title and inter-facility conflicts are no power to substantively respond exists around us. But together, Executive Director common, and are often filled with or fix the problems. armed with knowledge, capacity Editorial offices located at: 131 W 33rd St., New York, NY 10001 resentment and innuendo. We never More and more often, the only and a unified vision, nurses can Phone: 212-785-0157 x 159 really know what that other shift time we make headway is when we change the world, and transform Email: [email protected] Website: www.nysna.org or unit did or didn’t do; we just feel engage in protracted campaigns, our nightmares into the realization Subscription rate: $33 per year like we are the ones who got the often culminating in strike votes of our dreams. ISSN (Print) 1934-7588/ISSN (Online) 1934-7596 ©2016, All rights reserved short end of the stick. Many of us and public exposure projects. NEW YORK NURSE 3 november 2016 Two major wins on Long Island nurses cel- NYSNA ebrated this November when the last of key con- tracts at Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS) were overwhelm- ingly ratified and safer staffing won the day. Safe staffing has been a top priority for NYSNA nurses at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center Southside Hospital and St. Charles Hospital, where pays nurses nurses overloaded with patients have struggled daily to provide the $1.55 million in highest quality care. A third CHS back wages hospital — St. Joseph Hospital — had already signed on for safe staffing On November 2, Northwell Health, and other NYSNA demands in June. parent company of Southside Hospital, agreed to pay nurses at its Southside The November agreements sealed St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center members celebrate their ratification vote. facility $1.55 million in back wages. the deal with CHS. It was a huge victory for more than Twelve hundred NYSNA nurses at 300 nurses — about half the nurses at CHS fought hard to make their voic- Southside — who will receive on aver- es heard. In May, they held an infor- age $5,000 in back wages owed for mational picket at Rockville Centre overtime by the end of this year. “The Diocesan offices to drive home nurses are ecstatic!” said Marianne the need for safe staffing to CHS Walsh, RN and Southside’s LBU President. management and show their com- mitment to the community. (The The settlement resolves a long and Diocese oversees CHS). “I believe bitter fight over Southside’s pay prac- the solidarity of all the nurses paved tices from April 2007 to January 2011. the way for a contract that enforces During the four-year period, the hospi- tal implemented non-overlapping shifts adequate RN staffing essential to for nurses in certain units. Nurses were quality patient care,” said Cheryl forced to work beyond their shift to Paolone, RN, Maternity/NICU, St. give patient briefings to incoming staff, Charles Hospital. but they were not paid for their time as required by law. Wakeup call for management NYSNA filed a grievance, and the ar- In the end, however, agreements Members at St. Charles Hospital following the contract vote bitrator ruled against Southside. Then were reached with St. Catherine the nurses took action. Ms. Walsh and and St. Charles only after nurses at increases. Contracts included hard work that allowed us to reach her colleague Dorothy Lane, RN, along these two hospitals voted to autho- improved tuition reimbursement a fair bargaining agreement,” said with NYSNA staff presented over a rize strikes. According to Tracy and differentials for education, Ms. Paolone. year of testimony, with detailed docu- Kosciuk, RN and St. Charles LBU certification, charge, on-call and The contracts were ratified mentation on overtime hours worked, President, “Management woke up preceptor pay. Both hospitals added separately. At St. Catherine, to Southside Hospital management before reaching the $1.55 million and realized that nurses were will- all important experience steps to nurses voted overwhelmingly agreement. ing to wage a two-day strike over help retain senior nurses. At St. on November 4 for a new four- patient safety. We never had to go Catherine, attempts by manage- year contract, and at St. Charles “We work so hard. Any extra time we this far before. We were unified ment to change nurse pensions Hospital, 98 percent of NYSNA spent at work was time we were away from our families. We didn’t ask for and 100% serious in wanting a were stymied. nurses said yes on November 9 to a anything more than we deserved and resolution that enables us to care new agreement. what we were legally entitled to,” said Priorities achieved for our patients in the safest, most The victory is a testament to the Ms. Walsh. effective manner possible.” The fight to maintain health unity of NYSNA nurses within As a result, NYSNA RN negoti- benefits, another key priority, their own hospitals and within ating teams were well-positioned. also won out. CHS wanted new the CHS network. “Nurses at Management agreed to the high health insurance carriers as well as St. Catherine are always willing to levels of staffing standards, fair substantial increases in premium stand up for safe patient care,” said wages and benefits. Staffing sharing and other out-of-pocket Tammy Miller, RN and executive improvements included addi- costs. At both hospitals, NYSNA committee member at St. Catherine. tional nurse hires, tighter contract negotiating committees preserved For Ms. Kosciuk, “The experience language and stronger staffing existing health plan design, coin- of working with NYSNA members enforcement mechanisms. surance, maximum out-of-pocket from other CHS hospitals opened Wages at the two hospitals caps and deductibles. “I credit our doors and established lines of com- remained regionally competitive negotiating committee for their munication that will stay open and with annual across-the-board relentless commitment and diligent active going forward.” 4 New York Nurse november 2016

cides, or food products to feed its citizens. It also meant that what Good health starts food Cubans could grow, they mostly ate themselves instead of cycling through livestock. with healthy food At the same time, the Caribbean island had to solve the problem urses know better than This whole system has remark- of farming in the age of extreme anyone that the American ably little oversight. And we’ve weather events. Nfood industry has contrib- seen the consequences — under- uted to an epidemic of obesity and regulated fertilizer, pesticide and Out of necessity hypertension unprecedented in herbicide saturated mono-crops These factors contributed to By Jill Furillo, RN, recent history through unfettered of soy and corn replacing small Cuba being far more prepared for NYSNA Executive advertising, food additives and scale multi-crop farms, increases situations now facing many nations Director mono-crops. If we fail to address in greenhouse gases produced by across the planet. Cubans mastered the devastating impacts of ‘Big large livestock operations, and even what is now called “agro-ecology” Food’ then this could also become recent outbreaks of food-born dis- in contrast to our country’s mostly a nation whose population is also eases stemming from large washing industrial agriculture. Small scale facing a wellness crisis. and packaging plants. farmers in Cuba are leading the According to , a huge portion of the money spent on healthcare in this country treats chronic diseases linked to diet. But it’s not just the It’s not just the health of individuals at risk, the health of the planet is also suffer- ing. President Obama acknowl- health of edged that “our agriculture sector actually is contributing more individuals greenhouse gases than our trans- portation sector.” at risk, the Small family farms across America have largely been replaced Beef production in the U.S. is dominated by mega-corporations. health of by mega-agricultural corporations operating huge livestock feeding lots and a concentrating of our President Obama did try to country’s agricultural move- the planet food production in large-scale fight back and exert some much- ment and promoting sustainable is also suffering facilities and on giant farms. needed control over the food indus- practices like planting flowers to try — enough so that a group backed attract helpful insects and nitrogen Much at stake by pesticide and fertilizer producers producing beans to fertilize the The agricultural industrial com- called the Obamas, “organic limou- soil. Cubans had to find creative plex is a $1.5 trillion-dollar indus- sine liberals” and called on Michelle ways to till the soil and plant crops try in America — that’s trillion with Obama to use pesticides in the without fossil fuel-fed machinery. a T — with big corporations from White House garden. Cuba now produces almost all farms, to feeding lots, to grocery It is certain that corporate agri- of its own produce and much of stores controlling almost the entire culture will try to exert influence its own meat. These agricultural process from seed to table. over the new administration at advancements were not made out In a groundbreaking decision the expense of the family farmer of ideology. Rather, Cubans acted that supported genetically-modified and at the expense of the health of out of necessity, to meet the needs foods, the U.S. Supreme Court our nation. of a hungry people. ruled in favor of seed patents — fer- There is an alternative model Already, scientists fear that our tile soil for mega-agribusiness for feeding our nation using fewer planet is on the brink of no return Monsanto, which was already chemicals, causing less harm to from global warming. If we don’t developing many genetically-mod- the environment and promoting scale back our agricultural use ified (GM) seeds. There is growing healthier eating habits. That alter- of fossil fuels we could tip the concern that introducing foreign native comes from a country that thermometer permanently for our genes into food plants may have an couldn’t be more different from warming planet, leading to the unexpected and negative impact on ours — Cuba. same kind of food insecurity across human health. The British Journal the globe that Cubans faced. Lancet examined the effects of GM What Cuba can teach us It’s time for nurses to invoke our potatoes on the digestive tract in Because of the USA-led embargo commitment to public health and rats and found “appreciable differ- and the collapse of the Soviet take a firm stand for sustainable ences.” Considerable study contin- Union, the tiny island nation was farming that will help grow healthy ues on the essential question of the left in a precarious food situation, people and a healthy planet now harm of GM foods. unable to import fertilizers, pesti- and into the future. Political Actiontk NEW YORK NURSE 5 november 2016 Election sets stage for NYSNA’s 2017 legislative agenda he vote is in… the ballots are counted… and there are some T big wins for NYSNA in the New York State Legislature. Some, like State Senator Todd Kaminsky, D-District 9, fought hard with the help of NYSNA to keep their seats. Others, like Senator-elect Marisol Alcantara, D-District 31, the first NYSNA staffer ever elected to State office, will hit the halls of Albany for the first time, bringing fresh energy to pressing legislative bat- tles, such as safe staffing, fair fund- ing for safety net hospitals, and the preservation of a strong public health system. Senator-elect Marisol Alcantara All total: 137 NYSNA-endorsed candidates declared victory. gressive change for New York’s LONG ISLAND Among them, Assemblywomen patients, workers, and families. Senate, D-District 9 Addie Russell, D-District 116, and Todd Kaminsky, whose district Michaelle Solages, D-District 22, skews heavily Republican, fought who have walked shoulder-to- Senate, D-District 31 a hard won campaign for the shoulder with our nurses on hos- NYSNA’s own Marisol Alcantara seat once occupied by convicted pital picket lines; Senator George made history as the first former Senator . Latimer, D-District 37, a staunch Dominican woman elected to the When the ballots were finally supporter of the New York Health New York State Legislature. She tallied, Kaminsky, a former fed- Act; and Senators Andrea Stewart- succeeds , who eral prosecutor and Long Island Cousins, D-District 35, Terrence is replacing the Honorable Charles Assemblyman, had edged up 5,000 Murphy, R-District 40, and many, Rangel in the U.S. House, as the votes with the help of significant many others who have offered key representative for Washington get-out-the-vote efforts from support for the Safe Staffing for Heights, Inwood and parts of NYSNA to take the southwestern Quality Care Act. These candidates . Alcantara shares many Nassau County seat. share our vision of equal access to of NYSNA’s priorities and on Kaminsky, the incumbent, first quality care and are committed her legislative to-do list is usher- elected to the Senate after Skelos to building healthy, safe and vital ing the safe staffing bill to a senate stepped down, earned NYSNA’s communities. floor vote. loyalty with his staunch sup- Alcantara, who currently works port for the safe staffing act in Strong advocates as a NYSNA organizer at NY the Assembly and again when he The 12 candidates profiled on the Presbyterian and Montefiore hospi- moved to the Senate. Kaminsky, Senator Todd Kaminsky following pages have been consis- tals, is a champion of equal access also a champion of women’s rights, tent and strong advocates for New to quality healthcare. She is known has pushed for equal pay for York nurses and their patients. for her high energy, commitment women and is a stalwart supporter Along with the rest of our 137 to social and economic justice, and of pro-choice policies. endorsed candidates, they will go to dogged commitment to educating A life-long resident of the South Albany ready to stand with NYSNA and empowering minorities, women Shore, Kaminsky lived through as we continue to advocate for the and immigrant workers. and its after- highest quality healthcare for all Alcantara will fight to bring math, a firsthand education in the New Yorkers, clean water and air, affordable housing to all New effects of climate change and our the preservation of a strong public Yorkers and equitable access to state’s need for newer, more resil- health system, and other issues of high quality education to children. ient infrastructure. Kaminsky importance to New Yorkers. She is passionate about protecting has called for ethics reform, We’ll be visiting their offices, the environment; modernizing New public campaign financing, term calling them, sending postcards York’s antiquated voting system; limits, a ban on outside income, and counting on their leadership and passing the Development, and closing campaign contribu- in the upcoming legislative session. Relief, and Education for Alien tion loopholes for limited liability We look forward to working with Minors Act (DREAM Act), which companies. the entire Assembly and Senate in grants state tuition assistance to the coming months to enact pro- undocumented students. Continued on page 6 Political 6 New York Nurse Action november 2016 Election sets stage Continued from page 5 Assembly, D-District 22 Michaelle Solages, the first Haitian elected to the Assembly, won re-election after beating back a challenge from a Valley Stream Republican with deep family and political ties to the community. Solages had incurred the wrath of business interests, who fought hard against her this election, because she insisted that the redevelopment of Belmont Park include communi- Senator George Latimer ty input and a community benefits agreement that would bring good- Russell — a war chest that Russell Senate, R-District 40 paying jobs to local residents. did not come close to matching. Republican Senator Terrence In her first term, Solages success- Russell, known to be a fighter on Murphy is known to be a friend of fully lobbied for property tax relief behalf of working New Yorkers, labor and for his responsiveness to for District-22 residents and along outflanked Byrne anyway due to community needs. He handily won with Gov. Cuomo and others for the strong voter loyalty in the district. his first bid for re-election. paid family leave bill. She supported Throughout her tenure, Russell During his first term, Senator Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages raising New York’s minimum wage has championed worker rights. Murphy co-chaired the NYS Joint and views safe working conditions She co-sponsored the Safe Staffing Senate Task Force on Heroin and as a fundamental right. Solages is for Quality Care Act and voted Opioid Addiction and helped known for her dedication to wom- to increase New York’s minimum bring important changes to New en’s rights and promoting women wage, for paid family leave, and in York, including more training for and minority-owned businesses. favor of the Women’s Equality Act. doctors, the end to many 30-day Solages, who represents Elmont, prescriptions for opioids, more Floral Park, and Valley Stream, HUDSON VALLEY treatment beds, and an expan- among others, has shown strong Senate, D-District 37 commitment to Franklin and Hudson Valley Senator George Syosset Hospitals and earned the Latimer has built a solid record of support of nurses and community accomplishment during his four members. Solages has walked picket years in the New York Legislature. lines with NYSNA and is a leader Latimer sponsored legislation and in the Assembly on safe staffing. advanced funding for education, environmental issues (including CENTRAL protection of Long Island Sound), Assembly, D-District 116 housing, transportation, health- Assemblywoman Addie Russell care, and lower property taxes. Senator Terrence Murphy walked every picket line with Latimer, who spent years in the NYSNA at Watertown’s Samaritan Assembly, was first elected to the sion of the DARE school-based Medical Center and is well known Senate in 2012. He has a proven education program. The package to our nurses and hospital manage- track record with our nurses and of laws, signed by Gov. Cuomo ment. During our campaign for supports the safe staffing and the in June, increased from 48 to 72 a fair contract, Russell urged the New York Health acts. hours the time someone grappling hospital CEO to honor fair terms Latimer’s district includes with addiction is placed under for nurses and safe staffing for Bedford, Bronxville, Eastchester, emergency evaluation and removes nurses and patients. Russell has Harrison, Larchmont, insurance barriers for people who fought the privatization of Messina Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, need treatment. Memorial Hospital and supported Port Chester, Rye, Rye Brook, Murphy established a nurse advi- Assemblywoman Addie Russell the Enhanced Safety Net Hospital Tuckahoe, White Plains and parts sory committee early in his tenure bill, which provides increased fund- of Yonkers. Latimer retained his and co-sponsored the Safe Staffing ing for five hospitals in the district. seat in a hard-fought campaign for Quality Care Act. He is an The race to unseat Addie Russell with strong grassroots support and advocate for those with develop- is estimated to have been the most his message on ethics reform, edu- mental disabilities, seniors and vet- expensive Assembly contest in the cation, and property-tax reduction. erans. He believes that protecting state. Supporters, including hospi- Latimer is known for his scandal- the environment is a non-partisan tals, of Port Vincent Councilman free political career, his transpar- issue; he sponsored legislation to John Byrne, III, poured nearly ency, his strong work ethic, and his protect water quality; and is a sup- $1 million into defeating ability to deliver for constituents. porter of clean energy production. NEW YORK NURSE 7 november 2016

ing transparency and accountability County and parts of Albany and to New York’s citizens. Schenectady counties. Stewart-Cousins represents A civil engineer by trade, Greenburgh, Scarsdale, and parts Santabarbara sits on the Assembly’s of Yonkers, White Plains, and Mental Health, Veterans’ Affairs, New Rochelle. Energy, Agriculture, Small Business, Government Employees, and CAPITAL REGION Racing and Wagering Committees. Assembly, D-District 110 Santabarbara was a major force in We have seen him on our picket the Assembly in securing passage of lines and at our meetings and the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Conventions. And now we will see Act, raising the minimum wage, him return to the Assembly. Phil and in his support for the New York Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Steck’s re-election is a win for all Health Act. working people in his district and During the last session, NYSNA Murphy, whose district includes for the issues that NYSNA cham- worked closely with Santabarbara most of northern Westchester and pions: quality healthcare that will to safeguard the health and safety parts of Putnam and Dutchess protect the safety and well-being of of communities at risk for oil train Counties, supports state ethics our communities. accidents and the resulting health reform and has endorsed limiting Democrat Steck faced a well- and environmental impacts. In lawmakers to three terms. In addi- financed challenge by Republican recent years, the 111th District has tion, Murphy co-sponsored a bill Tom Murphy in a run for re-election seen an exponential increase in the that would take pensions from legis- to a third term to represent the volume of highly explosive crude oil lators who are convicted of a felony. district that encompasses Colonie, transported by rail freight within its Niskayuna and part of Schenectady. borders. Meanwhile, the district’s Senate, D-District 35 As a member of both the rural fire departments remain ill- Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is Assembly’s Health and Insurance equipped to respond to the type of the first woman to serve as leader committees, Steck has a role in two emergency posed by these “bomb of New York’s Senate Democratic key measures on the NYSNA agen- trains.” Santabarbara has taken a Conference. She has been unwav- da. Advancing a single payer health lead in calling for resources, train- ering in her support for NYSNA’s insurance system is one, as he strong- ing and legislation that would help legislative priorities and fought for ly supports the New York Health protect rural communities against state budgets that include measures Act. Second, Steck co-sponsored the this growing, lethal threat. NYSNA to protect the quality of care for Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act and community allies join him in patients and the profession and and is committed to seeing it once urging passage of legislation that practice of nursing. again advance to the Assembly for a would regulate how crude oil is Stewart-Cousins, a speaker at the floor vote this session. treated and allow fire departments Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, NYSNA Biennial, confirmed her In addition, Steck is a strong voice to respond to oil train accidents right commitment to passage of a safe for good government, transparency, more efficiently. staffing bill. “Nurses work long Santabarbara chairs the hours in demanding environments Assembly Subcommittee on Autism and patients, in large part, depend Retention and was the prime spon- on them for both physical and sor of a five-piece legislative plan, emotional support,” said Stewart- called Autism Action NY, aimed Cousins. “The work they do is at increasing job opportunities, important — to doctors, to patients, providing independent hous- and to the families of the people ing options, improving access to they treat. They serve as the faces of information, assisting in commu- the hospitals that employ them, and nication, and creating a central- patients’ feelings about hospitals are ized location for autism services colored by the experiences they have in New York. He has an autistic with the nurses who treat them. Assemblyman Phil Steck son. The bill calls for the creation Nurses work in the trenches and on of an Autism Spectrum Disorder the front lines of healthcare — and building the middle class, improving Advisory Board to develop, imple- it’s important that we express our New York schools, responsible eco- ment and update a statewide gratitude to them for providing us nomic development, and protecting Autism Action Plan, creating a with the best care possible.” women’s reproductive rights. central clearinghouse for autism Stewart-Cousins is a champion services and information. It passed of the underserved and working Assembly, D-District 111 both houses in June and is awaiting families. She is a key sponsor of the Incumbent Rotterdam Democrat Governor Cuomo’s signature. DREAM Act and a vocal supporter Angelo Santabarbara won re-elec- Time and again, Santabarbara of human rights, quality education, tion to a third term in a rematch has been there for NYSNA mem- and accessible, affordable healthcare. of 2014’s contest with Canajoharie bers, and we were there for him on Stewart-Cousins also wants to make Republican Pete Vroman. The dis- November 8. government more efficient, demand- trict contains all of Montgomery Continued on page 10 nysna 8 New York Nurse biennial novemberNOVEMBER 2016

2016 Biennial: One thousand strong

n October 17, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio opened the 2016 NYSNA Biennial with a rousing tribute to the tremendous political power of our members. O“When nurses speak, people listen,” the Mayor said to the house. “When nurses act, change happens.” One thousand NYSNA nurses from around the state gathered in midtown Manhattan for the two- day event to help shape the future of our union and our State. “You’re not the biggest union, but you Members got fired up during Tuesday’s make one of the biggest impacts #NYNursesVote action. because you’re not afraid of a righ- Biennial Videos teous fight,” the Mayor said. For RNs unable to attend the Biennial, or for those who would like Nurses have power to revisit some of the presentations, The presence of elected officials, please see links below for video clips including Attorney General Eric of speakers. Schneiderman, NYS Comptroller Stewart-Cousins: http://bit.ly/2fxprbH Tom DiNapoli and Assembly GOTV rally: http://bit.ly/2ghVIFK Speaker , as well as Mario Cilento: http://bit.ly/2fWB5dd NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Mary Basset: http://bit.ly/2fG49Ge Cilento, all speakers at the Biennial, Mayor de Blasio: http://bit.ly/2fhjfBH added heft to the Mayor’s statement about the nurses’ political clout.

NYSNA First Vice President Marva Wade, RN, presented NYS Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie with the “Distinguished Healthcare Champion” award.

Janice Wilson-Saunders, RN (speaking) and other members from Queens Hospital Center at one of the Biennial’s many workshops NEW YORK NURSE 9 novemberNOVEMBER 2016

Addressing healthcare Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke with NYSNA Second Vice President Anthony Ciampa, disparities RN, NY Presbyterian Hospital, following Dr. Mary Bassett, MD, MPH and the opening session. NYC’s Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene, delivered the keynote address on Monday, highlighting ra- cial and income disparities in health- care. She used data from New York 2016 Biennial: One thousand strong City to link patient care and outcomes to zip codes and particular communi- ties. As she related, patients zip codes “When I think about NYSNA, say more about their likely health I think... purposefulness, social outcomes than their DNA and are an conscious, uncompromising,” said indicator of life expectancy itself. de Blasio. And over the next two Residents on Manhattan’s Upper East days NYSNA nurses participated Side, for example, can expect to live in packed sessions on important an average of 85 years, while those topics such as LEAN management, living in zip codes less than a mile one-on-one organizing, campaign away live on average just 76 years. escalation, Single Payer, safe staff- Dr. Bassett‘s data, taken from federal ing, community organizing and the sources and shared with nurses at history of RN advocacy. the Biennial, revealed that in the year 2000 over 375,000 of those who died Standing up for quality care prematurely were people of color and By the second day, energized those in official poverty. In fact, the NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett posed with NYSNA members following latest data show that black babies members were on their feet for a her keynote address. Left to right: Julia Symborski, RN; Yasmine Beausejour, RN and die at twice the rate of white babies. standing ovation when NYSNA NYSNA Southeast Regional Director; Dr. Bassett; Karine Raymond, RN and NYSNA Heart disease and cancer are the First Vice President Marva Wade, Director at Large; and Cecilia Jordan, RN, Director of NYC H+H/Mayorals. two biggest killers in the U.S. for all RN, conferred the “Distinguished people. For people of color the death Healthcare Champion” award award, the Speaker affirmed that give the best care you possibly can rates for these diseases are higher. to Assembly Speaker Heastie for NYSNA’s collective voice travelled to your patients.” Dr. Bassett stressed that nurses have a his leadership in bringing the beyond patient bedsides — to the Members stood again for a rous- crucial role to play in reversing these Safe Staffing for Quality Care halls of power. “We heard your ing #NYNursesVote Get Out the trends. With Bassett’s conclusions, Act to a successful floor vote at concerns,” said the Speaker. “We Vote lunchtime action for NYSNA’s supported by her data, nurses learned the Assembly. In accepting the want to ensure that you are able to priority candidates. more about the impact of racism on health. It is her hope that RNs and other healthcare professionals can better advocate for more effec- tive and comprehensive approaches to public health nursing and overall healthcare delivery.

NYSNA Treasurer Pat Kane, RN, led the workshop on effective use of Protest of NYSNA President Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, spoke with members at a Tuesday Assignment to protect patients. workshop. Political 10 New York Nurse Action november 2016 Elections

Continued from page 7 captured the seat representing the Assembly, D-District 113 district to Buffalo’s east. It includes Democrat Carrie Woerner won her Cheektowaga, Lancaster and Depew. first bid for re-election, defeating The incumbent Republican Angela Republican Chris Boyark to repre- Wozniak had declined to run fol- sent the Saratoga and Washington lowing sanctions by a bipartisan County district. Politico had flagged Assembly ethics panel. Wallace came the race as a key one to watch and out ahead of her Republican chal- likely to be among the most expen- lenger Russell Sugg. sive because Republicans were eager Wallace focused her campaign to retake the seat that had been only on restoring public trust in elected narrowly won by Woerner in 2014. officials and won endorsement Despite the region’s long history of from The Buffalo News and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes electing Republicans, Woerner pre- numerous labor unions. vailed on November 8 by a strong As a former clerk to a federal from 84 percent of the district’s and decisive 12 percent margin! judge, public interest lawyer and law voters. She will return to the Woerner’s record of accomplish- professor at SUNY Buffalo, Wallace Assembly where she is a member of ment in her first term impressed has strong grounding for the work the Health, Insurance, Education, voters. She was a constant and vis- ahead. She has frequently spoken and Environmental Conservation ible supporter of NYSNA’s Capital out on issues affecting women, chil- committees and is the chair of Region members, walking picket dren and the community overall. the Governmental Operations lines at Ellis, Bellevue and Nathan She is committed to a progres- Committee. Littauer, and championing the sive platform that includes ethics Members at Erie County Medical Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act reform, making higher education Center know they can count on and New York Health Act inside affordable for working families, Peoples-Stokes. She was a strong the Assembly. investing in infrastructure, and voice in the most recent session for She advocated for clean energy, ensuring that seniors have access passage of the Enhanced Safety Net secured funding for fighting heroin to affordable housing and health- Hospital bill, a sponsor of the Safe and opioid addiction, supported care. She has pledged to support Staffing for Quality Care Act and Assemblywoman-elect Monica Wallace measures to protect the environ- safe staffing, healthcare for all, and the New York Health Act. She has ment, and advanced legislation to other NYSNA legislative priorities. long advocated on issues related to clean up corruption by requiring child welfare, domestic violence, convicted legislators to forfeit pub- Assembly, D-District 141 and lupus research and treatment. lic pensions. She, along with Phil Crystal Peoples-Stokes has a long Peoples-Stokes joined efforts to Steck, sponsored a bill to improve history of advocating for working increase New York’s minimum wage access to healthy food in all com- people — a record that has led vot- when she first went to the Assembly munities (FRESH Communities). ers in the 141st District to return back in 2002. She persevered with her to office in every election since others and the Governor signed WESTERN REGION 2002, when she became the first the wage bill earlier this year. She Assembly, D-District 143 African American woman to rep- also championed the Paid Family In her first-ever run for elected resent Buffalo in the Assembly. Leave Act and has been a persis- office, Democrat Monica Wallace This year she garnered support tent supporter of increasing access to affordable childcare. Peoples- Stokes helped secure $29 million to establish the Western New York Workforce Development Center to teach job skills focused on advanced manufacturing in electronics, solar energy and other fields. She spon- sored the fair tax bill, which makes middle-class taxpayers eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit and increases revenues to fund schools, infrastructure, child care and job creation. Aside from her advocacy on eco- nomic and health issues, Peoples- Stokes has equally strong records on environmental protection, crim- inal justice reform, and improving Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner government transparency. public hospitals NEW YORK NURSE 11 november 2016

come all New Yorkers who need ‘Safe havens of care for all’ our help,” said Frank Proscia, MD, President, Doctors Council SEIU. his is a critical moment, when Committee of Interns and Residents “We cannot allow anyone to use religious and racial discrimi- SEIU, Doctors Council SEIU, District dangerous fear and intimidation “T nation are on the rise, threat- Council 37 (DC37), the Commission language to scare any patient from ening violence,” said Anne Bové, on the Public’s Health System and the accessing their human right to RN and President of NYSNA’s New York Immigration Coalition, receive care,” said Judy Wessler, of NYC H+H/Mayorals Executive in all representing hundreds of thou- the Save Our Safety Net Campaign. Council. “Our public hospitals have sands of people living and working in “We have seen an uptick in hate a long tradition of serving all New Metro NYC. attacks recently against Muslims, Yorkers, no matter who they are or immigrants, Asians, and Latinos without regard what their care needs. Our mission Strong statements issued since the election, said Steven Choi, “to race, religion, is to provide a ‘safe haven of care’ Together, these New Yorkers executive director of the New immigration and we will not be deterred.” underscored the public hospital York Immigration Coalition. “Safe With these words, NYSNA system’s popular credo: without havens are absolutely important….” status or ability Board Secretary Anne Bové, RN, regard to race, religion, immigra- “It is our responsibility as physi- to pay, all those invoking her decades of service to tion status or ability to pay, all cians to care for all who come to in need will be patients in the public hospital sys- those in need will be given care and us, regardless of race, sexual ori- tem, took her place with a coalition protection at the city facilities. entation, religion, gender identity, given care and of patients, caregivers and sup- Both NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio or ability to pay,” said Dr. Priscilla protection at the porters to resolutely declare New and NYS Governor Andrew Chukwueke, Psychiatry resident city facilities” York City’s public hospitals “Safe Cuomo have made statements in at Harlem Hospital and Regional Havens of Care for All.” recent days reaffirming these values Vice President for the Committee The declaration issued by labor to reassure the safety and welfare of Interns and Residents. and health advocates and immi- of all New Yorkers. “Our public hospitals have long grant rights groups in New York Coalition members issued state- been the cultural competent providers provides that public hospitals are ments in support, excerpted here: of first resort for arriving immigrant to be considered “protected zones.” “Let’s be clear: Election results groups of virtually every ethnic and It is in response to growing fears of do not change the fundamental language background. And despite discrimination against women and values that define New York’s com- operating in an environment charac- immigrants, and within communi- mitment to providing care for all terized by overburdened, constrained ties of color, and with evidence of who need it. Our public health care and unequal financial reimbursement mounting violence against Muslims system will always be immune to mechanisms, our public hospitals and other vulnerable populations. the toxicity of ugly political rheto- have been there to serve, promote and The declaration was announced on ric,” said Henry Garrido, Executive protect the welfare and well-being of November 19 by a coalition including Director of DC37. everyone,” said Anthony Feliciano, Save Our Safety Net Campaign, the “We are committed more than Director of the Commission on the New York State Nurses Association, ever to ensuring our hospitals wel- Public’s Health System.

uninsured population. Already, he We need fair funding! said, there were “severe consequenc- es” from lack of sufficient funds, o cries of “Sign the bill!”, of “people being bypassed” when including long delays in the ER and the Save Our Safety Net calling for a way to “establish and patients returning with the same ill- Anne Bové, RN and President, NYSNA’s TCampaign held an education- enforce the care needed.... The nesses because of their inability to H+H/Mayorals Executive Council, al forum in the lobby of Harlem funds allocated by the bill are abso- afford medicines. addressed the press at the ‘Save Our Hospital on November 15 to urge lutely essential to the viability of our “When healthcare resources and Safety Net’ forum. Governor Cuomo to ink his name safety net system. The bill is criti- funds are unfairly distributed and to the all-important Enhanced cal to creating greater equality in policies do not reflect or follow Safety Net Hospital bill (A.9476- healthcare. It is a must,” she said. the needs of patients, we should A/S.6948-A) passed unanimously Public Advocate Letitia James not be surprised that our safety- in the legislature in June. also had words to share, calling on net is adversely impacted,” said Unions, public health advocates, the governor to “do the right thing.” Anthony Feliciano, Director of the civil rights and immigrant rights James said “this is a common ground. Commission on the Public’s Health groups and others came forward to This bill goes a long way to address System. “It is in the best interest of make statements in support of a bill the needs of the most vulnerable.” the people for the governor to sign that would ensure New York State’s the Enhanced Safety Net bill.” safety net hospitals receive funding Adverse impacts More than 15,000 signatures that fairly and equitably reflects the Dr. Matthew Chatoor, a surgical have been collected from hospital care they provide to Medicaid and resident at Harlem Hospital and a employees, community members uninsured patients. member of the Committee of Interns and health advocates in support of NYSNA Secretary Anne Bové, and Residents/SEIU, pointed out that this bill. More than 70 community RN, President of our union’s H+H/ 70 percent of inpatient admissions groups across the state have written NYSNA nurses and other supporters at Mayorals Executive Council, spoke at Harlem were of the Medicaid and to the Governor. the 'Save our Safety Net' 12 New York Nurse november 2016 NYSNA nurses win again in North Country et another major victory in parity adjustment add up to an 11 for Interlakes nurses, who will North Country this October percent total increase over the con- see a 36 percent increase during Yfor NYSNA at Elizabethtown tract’s three-year term. Of upmost the next three years. “I’m so glad Community Hospital and Interlakes importance, after the merger, to be a part of the Elizabethtown (Moses-Ludington), where our Interlakes nurses will receive the contract and that those nurses unstoppable NYSNA nurses unani- superior wages and benefits of fought so hard to make our acquisi- mously ratified a new collective the Elizabethtown contract. Kelly tion a good thing for the Moses- bargaining agreement. The win- Stevens, an RN at Elizabethtown, Luddington nurses,” said Julie win agreement sets the terms of the is very pleased with the results; “I Cruickshank, RN. merger between the two hospitals never believed that we would win This critical victory sets the favorably for our nurses and raises the wages and staffing language stage for North Country NYSNA the bar for bargaining at other that we did.” in upcoming negotiations with North Country hospitals. Adirondack, Canton-Potsdam, Big gains Carmen Cassavaugh, RN and The agreement includes ground- and Champlain Valley Physicians Elizabethtown Community Hospital breaking staffing language with When combined with step Hospital, where safe staffing, wage LBU Chair, cast her ratification vote on enforceable staffing grid guidelines increases and other wage gains, parity, affordable healthcare for October 31. and a new committee structure. many Elizabethtown nurses will caregivers, retirement with dignity, It contains no takeaways. Annual see a 20 percent pay increase by and employment and income secu- across-the-board increases of three the end of the agreement. The rity are all at stake. (3) percent plus a two (2) percent change will be even more dramatic

Mark your calendar! Fall Interregionals spotlight election

Mark your calendar for your upcoming members turned out in force made plans for the future. The fall meetings included Interregional. For more information, for September and October a countdown to the election with meet-the-candidate contact your NYSNA Rep. NYSNA Interregional meetings. Nurses gave updates on forums, where Nurses asked questions about issues Dec. 7, Brooklyn, 6:00 – 9:00 pm what’s happening at their facilities, discussed upcom- critical to their communities — from local taxes to DaNonna Rosa ing contracts and actions, identified challenges, and single payer healthcare and the safe staffing bill. 140 7th Ave., Brooklyn

Dec. 7, Long Island, 6:00 – 8:00 pm NYSNA Long Island Office 900 Walt Witman Rd., Suite 207 Mellville

Dec. 7, North Country, 5:30 – 8:30 pm West Side Ballroom 253 New York Rd., Plattsburgh

Dec. 8, Queens, 6:00 – 9:00 pm My Kitchen Restaurant 106-17 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills

Dec. 12, Western, 5:30 – 8:30 pm NYSNA Buffalo Office 617 Main St., #351, Buffalo Hudson Valley nurses gathered on October 6 in Tarrytown for Nurses from Wyckoff, Brooklyn, Interfaith, Kingsbrook Jewish, a candidate forum. (Second from right): Jayne Cammisa, RN Dec. 13, Capital Region, 5:30 – 9:30 pm Kings County, Maimonides, NY Methodist and Fresenius met Westchester Medical Center and NYSNA Lower Hudson/NJ Mallozzi’s on September 7 in Brooklyn. Regional Director, questioned the candidates. 1930 Curry Rd., Schenectady

Dec. 14, Staten Island, 6:00 – 9:00 pm Pepper Jack Grill 316 Manor Rd., Staten Island

Jan. 31, Bronx, 5:00 – 9:00 pm Eastwood Manor 3371 Eastchester Rd., Bronx

Feb. 1, Westchester/ Lower Hudson Valley, 5:30 – 8:30 pm NYSNA Tarrytown Office 660 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown

Erie County Medical Center, Erie County Health Department, Terrace View Rehab, and Brooks Memorial members met on October 13 for the Western NY Interregional. Nursing Practicetk NEW YORK NURSE 13 november 2016

Zero Lift Safer for patients; safer for us

Set. Safe Patient SPH practices and technologies and Ready. Handling train- implement effective worker safety. ing. It’s safer for patients and safer At the conference, healthcare pro- for us. fessionals were trained to conduct The New York State Safe Patient environmental and patient mobility Handling Law (SPH), which was assessments; use mechanical aids passed in 2014, required healthcare for moving, repositioning, and lift- facilities to have labor-manage- ing patients; and prevent accidents. ment SPH committees in place by Zero Lift also provided hands on January 1, 2016, and to have their demonstrations in cutting edge SPH SPH policies in place by January 1, technologies. Ms. Greenaway was 2017. Record numbers of health- most impressed with the sit to stand care professionals came to Buffalo equipment. “Getting patients up this September for the Safe Patient and mobile is a central task in so Handling Conference, sponsored by many departments, and it is some- the Zero Lift Task Force, of which thing that most of us do several Patricia Wilson, RN, Jacobi Medical NYSNA is a member, and the New times a day,” she said. Center, tested a sit-to-stand device. York State Department of Labor. NYSNA nurses joined healthcare Leadership is key professionals from across New York North Central Bronx is currently State in reviewing state-of-the-art conducting its unit-by-unit SPH technologies and best practices for needs assessment. Zero Lift pro- worker safety in their facilities. All vided a wealth of new information hospitals and nursing homes must and ideas for her SPH committee, be in compliance with the law by the Ms. Greenaway said. “SPH is about January deadline. technique as well as equipment.” The SPH law was passed to She added, “We used to rely on address extraordinarily high rates of body mechanics to try to avoid inju- musculoskeletal injuries suffered by ry, but we know that’s not enough. nurses and other healthcare work- We have to ensure that everyone is Members from Buffalo working at Erie ers. Sharon Greenaway, an RN in trained in new techniques and uses County Medical Center, Brooks Memorial, the NYC public hospital system’s the equipment once it’s in place.” and Terrace View welcomed NYSNA (NYC H+H) North Central Bronx While conducting an assessment nurses from hospitals in the Albany area, Hospital for 30-plus years, has of SPH equipment at NYC H+H's New York City, and the Hudson Valley seen many healthcare professionals Bellevue Hospital Center it was to their home town for the two-day injured because of heavy lifting on found that there was some equip- conference. the job: “Sometimes, particularly in ment in place that staff had not been emergencies, nurses pay a terrible adequately trained to use. To rem- place that works will take a lot price,’ said Ms. Greenaway. “In fact, edy the situation, Bellevue’s nurse of trial and error in each depart- I met someone at the conference educators implemented staff train- ment and will vary with patient who got involved in SPH only after ing to ensure their healthcare profes- needs.” NYSNA members and staff suffering an injury. That’s not the sionals learned how to properly use are working closely with covered right approach. Get trained in SPH the existing SPH equipment. facilities to ensure they are able to and avoid learning the hard way.” For Sarah Chmura, RN, Erie implement successful safe patient County Medical Center (ECMC) handling programs. Reducing injuries and NYSNA Board Member for This year’s Safe Patient Handling SPH policies and technologies the Western Region, leadership is Conference was the best attended of are designed to reduce dramatically the key take-away from the confer- any of the seven prior conferences. the strain of manual lifting and ence. “Any time you ask people to The five hundred healthcare profes- decrease the number of injuries to change the way they do things, you sionals from 184 healthcare facilities healthcare workers, improve out- meet some resistance. SPH must be who were on hand — including more comes for patients and save health- addressed in a way that generates nurses, occupational therapists, care facilities money. The Zero-Lift buy-in from the nurses and other technicians, educators, and oth- Task Force, comprised of NYSNA direct caregivers,” she said. ers — left better education in SPH and other healthcare unions, patient In September, ECMC was about technology. They are now well- advocacy groups, and the New halfway through the process of positioned to help their hospitals , York Department of Labor, spon- developing its SPH policy. It will clinics, and nursing homes make the sors the annual conference to help be an ongoing effort, Ms. Chmura January transition to better work- practitioners stay current on best said. “Putting an SPH policy in place safety practices. CLIMATE 14 New York Nurse JUSTICE november 2016 New book highlights NYSNA’s work on Sandy recovery hen Super Storm Sandy Jaffe underscores the tremendous need to keep our public healthcare hit New York, NYSNA’s value of NYSNA’s public health system strong: “This is why we need W nurses stood ready to save approach to the issue. “The climate public hospitals. In the Rockaways, lives. Their heroic efforts made movement has trouble seeing these where you don’t have one, you have a lasting impression on journal- fights as fights for people, not just to build your own medical clinic ist Sarah Jaffe. Among the mov- polar bears,” she said. “The fact and staff it with volunteers who ers and shakers featured in Jaffe’s is, when the actual storm comes, also have jobs, so you have nurses new book, “Necessary Trouble: people are going to die — and it’s who are working long shifts at a Americans in Revolt,” are NYSNA’s not going to be a level playing field hospital and then schlepping down nurses, who the author chronicles in terms of who is going to die and to volunteer, where there should be for their leadership roles among who is going to suffer. an adequately staffed public hospital public health professionals both in the neighborhood.” The success during the storm and in it’s wake. Over 1,000 patients rescued of Bellevue and Coney Island’s res- Jaffe told New York Nurse that The storm hit the Rockaway Penin- cue efforts during the storm proved NYSNA’s newly-elected leader- sula and wiped out the homes of the Jaffe’s point. Over 1,000 patients ship saw a catalyst for positive rich and poor alike, but poor people were rescued between these two social change in Sandy’s wreck- are the ones who were stuck on the public hospitals which were fully age. “Sandy was an opportunity 18th floor of a public housing high- prepared. Patients lives were saved. for NYSNA to connect its work to rise with no power. And they were “The failures of the Red Cross after democratize the union to its work the ones that nurses and volunteers Sandy show us that there is no sub- in the community — and then to were climbing those stairs to help.” stitute for a public sector, no matter connect all that work to the fight Jaffe stresses the critical role of how amazing the volunteer effort for climate justice,” Jaffe related. public hospitals in a crisis and the may be,” writes Jaffe.

is the battle of gas pipeline development. Cliff NYN: Can you talk more about Nowhere to protect Willmeng, an RN from Lafayette, the healthcare impacts of these tribal lands and our country’s envi- Colorado, and UFCW Local 7 pipelines in particular? Labor ronment from the ravages of the oil member, is one of the organizers. When the pipelines leak and fail and gas industry playing out more He spoke with New York Nurse there are no scientific remedies to dramatically than in Standing Rock about why it is critical to support restore the comprehensive dam- activists for North Dakota, where the Dakota the Native American right to self- age to the environment they affect. Access Pipeline threatens the only determination and their territories. Every living thing that depends on Standing water supply available to the Lakota that environment is then exposed in and Dakota peoples of the Standing It’s a fundamental health issue multiple ways to the oil — which is Rock Rock Reservation. Recognizing NYN: Why is a nurse from both carcinogenic and disrupts the early on the inherent justice in Colorado involved with a struggle endocrine system. resistance, NYSNA President Judy in North Dakota? NYN: What can unions and indi- Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, with a Willmeng: Quite simply, advocat- vidual members do to participate in contingent of our nurses and staff ing for our patients is a primary Labor for Standing Rock? traveled to the role and responsibility of nurses Willmeng: The most important Sacred Stone and all health care professionals. actions have to do with educat- Camp to stand When we take a wider view of this, ing and mobilizing support for in solidar- we have to conclude that the fight Standing Rock and the larger fight ity with “the for the environment is really advo- against the fossil fuel industry. largest gather- cating for patients everywhere. We can pass resolutions, sponsor ing of Native Where I live and work in busses to bring members to North Tribes in the Lafayette, Colorado, we are among Dakota and start to bring new past 100 years communities nationally that are people into local fights for the envi- of American fighting the oil and gas industry, ronment. With these first steps, we History” against or as many people know it “frack- can make the connections between the pipeline. ing”. We experience the spills, all union members and begin to Now labor activists and working explosions, fires and leaks that the organize a new labor movement people from across the country have fossil fuel industry is synonymous that fights for full employment and followed suit. Labor for Standing with everywhere. When Standing builds a sustainable world where Rock is a rank-and-file organization Rock began to find its way into working people, not CEOs, are the that has joined the First Nations the national news, it was an easy new leaders. in the fight to protect their water connection for many people living For more information, visit supply, their ancestral lands (and in the shadow of the oil and gas www.facebook.com/Labor-For- our planet) from the consequences industry to make. Standing-Rock in brief NEW YORK NURSE 15 november 2016

NYSNA nurses attended the 2016 Somos El Futuro conference in Puerto Rico, November 9-13. They met with state legislators and other advocates to ensure that nurses have a voice in important policy debates on safe staffing and enhanced funding for safety net hospitals, as well as on issues such as Zika, Puerto Rico's healthcare and debt crises, immigrant healthcare access and other concerns of New York's Latino community. NYSNA nurses worked the Staten Island Health Expo on October 5, helping connect community members with health resources and information.

Dutchess County Dems honor Vassar member Solidarity at Canton- At a ceremony on October 23, Potsdam NYSNA members rallied on short notice to support the Dutchess County Democratic 1199SEIU coworkers holding an infor- Committee honored Vassar mational picket at Canton Potsdam Brothers Medical Center RN and Hospital on November 1. NYSNA member leader Hilary Schneck by presenting her with the Lorraine Pierre-Destine, RN, Lincoln Hospital, addressed the press on September 27. Eileen Hickey Labor award. The award recognizes Ms. Schneck’s Speaking out for clean air tireless work inside the hospital, NYC’s public hospitals Residents of the South Bronx and North Brooklyn are breathing high within the community, and in the shine in Leapfrog levels of diesel emissions emitted from garbage trucks, putting them at ele- political arena to improve staffing ratings vated risk of respiratory disease, according to a new study by Transform at VBMC and achieve safe staffing New York City’s public hospitals Don’t Trash NYC, a coalition of unions, environmental and community legislation for all New Yorkers. came out ahead of the class when groups. The study, “Clearing the Air: How Reforming the Commercial the Leapfrog Group released its Waste Sector Can Address Air Quality Issues,” calls attention to how annual Hospital Safety Grades on private trash trucks disproportionately harm air quality in a few specific November 1. low-income communities of color. Leapfrog used publicly avail- At a September 27 press conference on the study’s release, Lorraine able 2015 data of 30 evidence- Pierre-Destine, a NYSNA RN in the Pediatric Emergency Department at based measures of hospital safety NYC Health + Hospital’s Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, spoke about how to score hospitals nationally on exposure to diesel pollution is associated with asthma and other respirato- performance in keeping patients ry diseases, with children and young adults particularly susceptible. “The safe from preventable harm and quality of air in the South Bronx is among the worst in all urban America, medical errors. Only five NYC and the concentration of garbage dumps in the neighborhood constitutes hospitals achieved grades of A or a public health disaster. Nurses are working with labor, community and B, and all are facilities in NYC environmental advocates to change this because everyone deserves clean RN Hilary Schneck (second from left) at Health + Hospitals. The ratings air, safe jobs and good health!” the October 23 awards ceremony speak to the high quality care delivered in the public hospital NYSNA Welcomes NYC H+H CRNAs Certified Registered Nurse system and reinforce the need Anesthetists working at NYC’s for fair funding of safety net hos- Health + Hospital’s Physician pitals to ensure they will be able Affiliate Group (PAGNY) cast a to care for all New Yorkers well resounding vote for NYSNA rep- into the future. resentation on November 1. The 51 CRNAs work as part of the 3,000-member physician prac- tice — the largest in New York State — and will soon begin to bar- gain for a fair contract to protect their practice and patients and secure Members of the PAGNY CRNA Organizing Committee are thumbs up for NYSNA. fair treatment and compensation. Non-Profit NEW YORK NURSE US Postage Paid november 2016 NYSNA

131 West 33rd Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10001

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INSIDE

Two major wins on Long Island, p. 3

2016 Biennial: One thousand strong, pp. 8-9