october 2014 the official publicationnurse of the new york state nurses association

NYSNA election endorsements pages 5-10 2 New York Nurse October 2014 Sacred rights worth defending

By Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, unrest,” the very thing that the Dallas Ebola case, where the nurse NYSNA President School Board wishes to omit from documented the patient’s travel to US history! Liberia and the doctor apparently ne hundred years ago, The proliferation of standard- never saw it. women in this country ized tests, scripted curriculum and That is because the purpose of did not have the legal prescribed thinking in our schools all of this technology is not about right to vote. is much like the overkill we see in care – it is about reimbursement. Fifty years ago, our hospitals. Nurses are besieged OAfrican-Americans in most south- with standardized computer-driven The patient as commodity ern states risked their lives if they assessments and data collection, In our current healthcare system, attempted to exercise their right scripted speeches we are directed Revenue has replaced Relationships. to vote. to give to patients, adoption of new Patients, like students in our How aware are we of our peo- ways of thinking about patients – schools, are seen as numbers and ple’s history; the heroic struggles throughput, lean management, income generators, not as unique of so many that came before us so reducing length of stay, satisfaction individuals. Thus, the mandate is that we could enjoy the things we surveys, endless new “initiatives,” for professionals to march in lock- now take for granted? theoretically to “streamline” care. step to a prescribed set of values, The manner in which nurses are practices and thinking in order to forced to practice in today’s envi- implement “the program”. ronment is a betrayal of what we By buying into complacency, we learned in nursing school and what de facto accept that we are no lon- we entered the profession for in the ger capable of independent think- first place. Teachers, social work- ing, reasoning and, yes, protesting. ers, even doctors express many of This is why what happened in the same frustrations. Colorado is a chilling view of what could become the way forward if Factory model human services the current trajectory of things is to All people are individuals. They continue. If we allow ourselves to learn, think, get sick and heal in dif- view our patients as income for the

Advocating for patients. Advancing the profession.SM ferent ways. The challenge and the hospital, following all of these ideo- joy of being a professional is built logical trends without question,

Board of Directors around tapping our knowledge base half the battle is lost. President and life experiences to impact our Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, MSN, FNP I’ll bet at least half of our read- patients, clients or students in our Beyond voting First Vice President ers are unaware that the Supreme own unique way. The key element in Paying thoughtful attention Patricia DiLillo, RN, MEd Court struck down Section 4 of the this construct is the relationship we to who we vote for is important. Second Vice President Marva Wade, RN Voting rights Act only last year! build with those for whom we are Actively holding politicians to cam- Secretary Even if written into law, sacred providing services. paign promises is even more valu- Anne Bové, RN, MSN, BC, CCRN, ANP rights require constant vigilance. There is a psychological purpose able. However, the most crucial Treasurer Patricia Kane, RN There are open – and insidious – behind this factory-like environ- Directors at Large attacks on such rights every day. ment that healthcare facilities have Anthony Ciampa, RN Freedom of speech and freedom turned into. The transfer of time Ingred Denny-Boyce, RN, BSN, MSN Shirley Hunter, RN, MS of thought are only two examples. spent with patients to time spent Tracey Kavanagh, RN, BSN with machines – computers, scan- Colleen B. Murphy, RN, MS Big brother: in our schools and Grace Otto, RN, BA, BSN ners, pumps and the pyxis – dis- Sean Petty, RN, CPEN hospitals torts our nurse/patient relationship Karine M. Raymond, RN, MSN Veronica Richardson, RN Right now, in a suburb of Denver, as our priorities shift from human Verginia Stewart, RN Colorado, there is an attempt by a interaction to data entry. Even our Regional Directors right wing school board majority relationships with colleagues have Southeastern Michael Healy, RN Southern Gwen Lancaster, RN, CCRN, MSN/Ed (by a vote of 3 to 2) to “adjust” the shifted to computers instead of con- Central Carol Ann Lemon, RN AP history curriculum so that it is versation. E-learning has replaced Lower Hudson/NJ Eileen Letzeiser, RN, BSN, MPH Western Kris Powell, RN more “patriotic” and emphasizes classroom instruction; text messag- Eastern Martha Wilcox, RN the “free enterprise system,” rather ing, electronic reports and virtual Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner Executive Editor than mention “civil unrest” or the conversations have replaced real Jill Furillo, RN, BSN, PHN “questioning of authority” to cor- ones. Doctors can enter orders, thing we can do is to question what Executive Director rect injustices. nurses can administer medications we hear, are taught and are direct- Editorial offices located at: 131 W 33rd. St., New York, NY 10001 Ironically, this attempt has been and treatments, both can document ed to do by those in power. With Phone: 212-785-0157 x 159 met by protests on behalf of stu- care – without ever actually speak- the strength of our numbers and Email: [email protected] Website: www.nysna.org dents, parents and teachers, who ing or even knowing each other! our protected rights as union mem- Subscription rate: $33 per year are demonstrating, circulating A salient example of this clini- bers, we can actually change things ISSN (Print) 1934-7588/ISSN (Online) 1934-7596 ©2014, All rights reserved petitions and engaging in “civil cal alienation was seen in the for the better. We already have. Report from the biennial NEW YORK NURSE 3 October 2014 A Biennial to remember

uring two days in September, converging at Jacob Javits Center in , 1,800 DNYSNA members met, reviewed the year, attended a slew of workshop offerings and heard from elected officials. Some members attended voting body and congress. Less than two months from the November elections, there was talk of endorse- ments and the prospects for new laws in New York – for safe staffing and a single payer health system. Politics was in the air, and on the podium. Public Advocate Tish James gave a rousing speech, recall- ing the care her mother received from a nurse. State Senators Bill Perkins (see his endorsement, p. 6) and Ruth Hassell Thompson (see p. 7) also spoke. Members were engaged and On September 17, the March that preceded the Rally saw 2,000 members from the enthusiastic. “It’s my first confer- Biennial and area hospitals voice their calls for safe staffing and the safeguarding of ence. It’s a great experience that patient care. reminds you that you are not alone, you are part of something Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. March and rally larger,” said Donna Simons, RN, of “Staffing is a big issue, safety as NYSNA was also in the streets well; we always seem to be under- during this Biennial. In the late staffed. But I’m optimistic. If we morning of day two, September , Public Advocate of New keep with it and stay committed 17, NYSNA members marched on York City, spoke of her strong and we’ll succeed.” West 57th Street in Manhattan – enduring commitment to NYSNA and “The biggest challenge is empow- outside the offices of the Greater the protection of medically-underserved ering younger nurses, making them New York Hospital Association and communities. realize how much power they have, the NYC office of the Healthcare giving them a voice and creating Association of New York State. a healthy work environment for More than a dozen elected officials them,” said Bernita Stewart, RN, and other union leaders joined sev- Montefiore Medical Center. “With eral NYSNA board members before Council Member this union there’s very little ‘us and a large crowd of members and sup- spoke at the Rally for safe staffing. His them,’ so nurses feel that they can porters. “Safe staffing” was the support of NYSNA, together with efforts decide the future, they feel that theme and that message was deliv- for affordable education and housing, has they are the union.” ered loud and clear. been outstanding.

“Crisis in Retirement Security and the Labor Movement,” one of two dozen sessions and workshops held at the Biennial, included an ON THE COVER Members put out the engaging question and answer period. word to vote on November 4. 4 New York Nurse October 2014 Continuing a winning agenda for NYSNA By Jill Furillo, RN, NYSNA NYSNA urges all its members to vote on Executive Director November 4. Your vote counts. he election season has been very full for our union, as we stepped up to assess and New York City and in county can- Hospital in the face of intransigent approve a long list of pro- didates were a huge victory. New management. (see p. 11) Tspective candidate endorsements. York City Mayor , This season also finds us The NYSNA imprimatur is valued Public Advocate Tish James, a preparing for and initiating – by us, and by those seeking it. number of outstanding New York bargaining at a number of private The Board selected 176 candidates City Council Members and others hospitals in New York City. worthy of NYSNA’s backing (see were elected. In a short time, they Contracts for 18,000 members are pages 5-10 for some candidate have helped advance our agenda at issue and NYSNA stands ready. snapshots and Voter Guide). Please in significant ways. Quality access Your views and participation help review these selections. to healthcare for all New Yorkers us hone the edge. Endorsements were made for can- headlines that agenda. didates in New York State Assembly NYSNA urges all its members Proper measures to stop Ebola and Senate, State Attorney General to vote on November 4. Your vote This season has also brought us and Comptroller, and U.S. Congress counts. the Ebola virus, a scourge in West from New York. The Board believes Africa where thousands have per- that these candidates will serve A very full season ished, with cases in other parts of the best interests of patients and The election season has been the world, including Spain and in support issues affecting access to full with other commitments the U.S. healthcare. These candidates under- and challenges. On September NYSNA said that in this public stand our priorities and will give 21, NYSNA members joined health crisis our number one prior- thousands of people from around ity is to provide safe, quality care to the world in the largest climate every patient. march to date: the People’s Climate In facilities where NYSNA March. Our contingent stood represents nurses we insist on: safe tall, joining scores of other labor levels of staffing to care for patients unions and supporters and making with infectious diseases; optimal up one segment of the March, personal protective equipment that which extended scores of blocks in meet the highest standards used by midtown Manhattan. the University of Nebraska, includ- Our members have shared their ing full-body hazmat suits resistant insights into the serious and pro- to blood-borne pathogens and found affects climate change has powered air purifying respirators; had on the public’s health. Carbon continuous, interactive hands-on our legislative policies and goals emissions, which raise the tem- training that is responsive to the very serious consideration. perature of the atmosphere and changing nature of the disease; and The values of the union – patient lead to Extreme Weather Events, optimal biohazard containment safety and quality care, respect for such as Super Storm Sandy, are the rooms for each suspected or diag- RNs, protections for RNs in the substance of air pollution, a major nosed case of Ebola. workplace – are central. NYSNA killer in urban centers throughout We urge that all facilities, with or stands for universal, affordable the world. without union representation, will access to healthcare for all and for This fall, NYSNA members adopt the standards outlined above. making every community in New throughout the state have been on NYSNA supports the State’s deci- York a safe and healthy place to live. the move to achieve their demands: sion to require hospitals to have In each candidate the Board sought protect patient care and keep the written protocols for immediately to find a record in office, in careers community informed. identifying, isolating and medically and commitments, founded upon Members from several hospitals evaluating any person who could principles of equality – in opportuni- joined together – a first – in a one- potentially be infected with Ebola. ty and in access to essential services. day picket in the Capital Region and NYSNA looks forward to work- continue to move forward, united ing with the NYS Department of Your vote counts in demands for safe staffing and Health to implement optimal state- Our efforts last year, first of its respect for RNs. On , wide requirements for high-quality, kind, to endorse and work to elect our RNs picketed at Franklin safe care for all New Yorkers. special edition | october 2014 New York the official publicationnurse of the new york state nurses association

Special edition: Election 2014 6 New York Nurse complete list of endorsements, pages 9-10 October 2014 NYSNA Endorsements–Election 2014 Snapshots of some of our candidates pon careful consideration and review, NYSNA has selected 176 candidates to endorse for New York Senate and Assembly New york City Uand U. S. Congress in the 2014 elections. Considerations of issues directly related to nurses and our profession, as well as to the us CONGRESS Assembly communities in which we live and work, were taken into account. 6 Grace Meng 37 In the following pages, some of these candidates in the state and D – WFP federal contests are profiled. On pages 9 and 10 please find a Voter Grace Meng is the first Asian- D – WFP Guide broken down by legislative body and district. American Member of Congress Catherine Nolan is a longtime from New York. She has worked supporter of staffing ratios and hard to protect Medicare and Social Security. a friend to union nurses. Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Meng was a member of the NYS Assembly, passing laws 43 karim Camara to extend unemployment coverage and was a sponsor of safe staffing legislation. D – WFP Karim Camara is a key leader in 14 Joe Crowley the Assembly and the Chair of D – WFP the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Joe Crowley was instrumental in Caucus. He is a sponsor of staffing ratios passing the James Zadroga 9/11 legislation and a fighter for universal access Health and Compensation Act to healthcare. to provide 9/11 first responders and workers with health monitoring and care. He supports 44 James Brennan urban hospitals and specialty health centers. Brooklyn D – WFP 17 Nita Lowey James Brennan has been a D – WFP leader in the fight to preserve NY State Comptroller NY State Attorney Nita Lowey is the ranking access to care in our Brooklyn communities General Democrat on the House and played a leading role in the fight to Tom DiNapoli Appropriations Committee. She save LICH. He is a sponsor of staffing ratios Statewide Eric Schneiderman is a leading proponent in areas of educational legislation. opportunity, healthcare quality protections, D – WFP Statewide the environment and women’s rights. Rep. Tom DiNapoli is a strong supporter of D – WFP Lowey authored a bill to ensure that women workers and public employee pension Eric Schneiderman is taking on an in managed care plans have direct access rights. He has worked to keep our increasingly important role in policing to their ob-gyns and is a strong supporter pension funds secure and to protect corporate abuses that harm working of legislation to guarantee that doctors and our retirees. people and protecting patients and tax patients – not insurance companies – make payers from healthcare fraud. decisions about appropriate care. New york City SENATE SENATE 14 leroy G. Comrie, Jr. 28 Queens Manhattan D – WFP D-WFP was a supporter Liz Krueger is a sponsor of our of nurses issues on the NY City staffing ratios bill and a strong Council and will continue the fight in the voice for the women’s equality agenda in the State Senate. State Senate. US Congress 16 Toby Stavisky 30 Bill Perkins 7 Nydia Valezquez Queens Manhattan D – WFP D – WFP D-WFP Nydia Velazquez is the first Puerto Toby Stavisky is a sponsor of Bill Perkins is a strong advocate Rican woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate our staffing ratios bill and was for quality healthcare. He is a a strong supporter of NYSNA nurses during sponsor of our staffing ratios bill and a leader Congress; and the first Latina to chair 31* Adriano Espaillat their contract fight at Flushing Hospital in the fight for single payer in New York. a full Congressional committee – / Manhattan Medical Center. House Small Business Committee. Rep. D – WFP Valezquez was on the frontlines with 26 Daniel Squadron NYSNA in the struggle to save LICH. Adriano Espaillat is a sponsor of the Brooklyn Vote for endorsed And she is a fighter for equal rights staffing ratios bill and a strong advocate D – WFP and economic opportunity for the for safe patient care. He was active in Dan Squadron is one of the candidates on the working class and the poor, protecting supporting nurses and other healthcare leaders of the fight to save community health and the environment workers in their demands for quality care LICH and a strong supporter of maintaining (WFP) line. and seeking to secure access to at NY Presbyterian hospital. community access to healthcare. affordable housing, quality education A stronger WFP will help us win ratios! *Electoral District and healthcare for all New Yorkers. NEW YORK NURSE 7 October 2014

New york City

Assembly Assembly 56 aNNette Robinson 75 richard Gottfried Brooklyn Manhattan D D – WFP Annette Robinson is a sponsor Dick Gottfried is the leading of the staffing ratios bill and a sponsor of staffing ratios and strong fighter to preserve healthcare services. single payer legislation in the Assembly. He She was active in the fight to stop hospital has also played a key role in the fight to keep closures. She fought tooth and nail with for-profit corporate hospital and healthcare US Congress NYSNA and the community to keep the state operators out of New York. 13 Charlie Rangel from closing Interfaith Medical Center, one Assembly of the most vital safety net providers in a 76 66 Deborah Glick D Manhattan medically-underserved part of Brooklyn. Manhattan The first African American member of D – WFP D the U.S. Congress to lead the House 57 walter Mosely Rebecca Seawright is a strong Ways and Means Committee and a Brooklyn advocate for the public school Deborah Glick is a staunch advocate for founding member of the Congressional D system and favors reducing class sizes. She quality patient care. She is a sponsor Black Caucus, Charlie Rangel has worked Walter Mosely was a key is running for a vacant Assembly seat on the of staffing ratios and understands the tirelessly during 22 terms in the House leader in the fight to preserve Upper West Side of Manhattan. She supports importance of maintaining the highest to improve the lives of working people, healthcare services in Brooklyn and was increasing the minimum wage, the Women’s level of professional standards of nursing. boosting the incomes of millions of particularly active in the fight to save Equality Agenda and strengthening our rent Interfaith. He is a sponsor of the staffing laws to protect tenants. working families with the Earned Income ratios legislation. Tax Credit, and pumping billions of 77 latoya Joyner Long Island dollars into revitalization of communities 67 Bronx across the nation, including his home Manhattan D – WFP SENATE district in Harlem and the Bronx. Latoya Joyner is a first time D – WFP 3 aDrienne Esposito candidate for office who Linda Rosenthal is a sponsor Suffolk has the support of a wide range of labor of the staffing ratios bill and D – WFP unions and progressive organizations. She is Assembly an advocate of single payer coverage. She is Adrienne Esposito is a committed to improving health services for a leader in the fight for equality in pay and longtime environmental 45 sTeven the people of the Bronx. Cymbrowitz opportunities for women. activist running for an open seat on Long Brooklyn 83 Island. She is a strong supporter of the D – WFP 71 herman Farrell Bronx Women’s Equality Agenda is a sponsor Manhattan D D – WFP of the staffing ratios bill and has fought Carl Heastie is a key leader in Assembly to maintain health services in Brooklyn, Herman “Denny” Farrell has a long history of leadership on the fight to protect the rights 2 Thomas Schiliro including efforts to protect SUNY Downstate’s of nurses, healthcare workers and other Suffolk vital role as a medical training center. women’s rights, civil rights and labor issues. He supports a moratorium on hydrofracking working people in New York State. He is also D – WFP a sponsor of staffing ratios legislation. 49 Peter Abbate and has led the fight to increase the Tom Schiliro supports staffing ratios and single payer Brooklyn minimum wage. D – WFP legislation in New York State. Peter Abbate has been an 22 michaelle Solages advocate for public workers Nassau and in passing legislation to protect the D – WFP healthcare rights of first responders who were Michaelle Solages has been a injured on 9-11. He is a sponsor of staffing staunch supporter of nurses ratios legislation. and patients on Long Island. She is a 50 Joseph Lentol sponsor of staffing ratios and has actively supported NYSNA nurses to improve their Brooklyn D working conditions. Joseph Lentol is a sponsor of the staffing ratios bill in the us CONGRESS Assembly. He played an active role in the 1 Tim Bishop fight to maintain access to care in Brooklyn, US Congress US Congress D – WFP and in the fight to save LICH. Tim Bishop has made special 8 hakeem Jeffries 11 Dominic Recchia efforts in behalf of veterans, 52 D – WFP D – WFP the environment, education and Brooklyn healthcare. During his tenure in Congress, his Hakeem Jeffries stood with nurses and A former member, D focus has included access to higher education the community to keep open Interfaith Domenic Recchia has a proven track Jo Anne Simon is running and defending retirement security. for the seat of retiring Medical Center, critical to healthcare record in behalf of working people, having Assemblywoman Joan Millman. She was in Central Brooklyn. He is a vocal helped save more than 4000 teacher and 4 Kathleen Rice active in the fight to save LICH and strongly proponent of improving the quality of school aide jobs in New York City. Recchia D – WFP believes that decisions that affect the justice for minorities through reform of has spoken out against the cost of Kathleen Rice promises to work healthcare of our communities must be based the federal criminal code. He has been insurance premiums. He also has pledged to make healthcare affordable. on real needs of the community. a champion to senior citizens, opposing to safeguard and improve Medicare. She would oppose efforts cuts to Social Security benefits and that would cut benefits, shift more costs Medicare. He is an aggressive advocate onto beneficiaries or convert Medicare to a in the fight for affordable housing. voucher system. 8 New York Nurse October 2014

Western NY CapitAl Region Senate Assembly Senate 55 Ted O’Brien 135 Mark Johns 46 Cecilia Tkaczyk Monroe/Ontario Monroe Albany/Greene/Montgomery/ D – WFP R– C – WFP Schenectady/Ulster Ted O’Brien voted to raise New Mark Johns was first elected to D – WFP York’s minimum wage and is a the State Assembly in 2010 and Cece Tkaczyk is a sponsor strong supporter of women’s rights, including was re-elected in 2012. Prior to his service of staffing ratios and has been a staunch their right to control their own reproductive in the Assembly, he worked for the Monroe supporter of NYSNA nurses in the Capital and health choices County Department of Public Health for more Hudson Valley areas, turning out for NYSNA than 30 years. picket lines and backing nurses. Assembly 141 Crystal Peoples- US Congress 49 madelyn Thorne 121 William Magee Stokes 25 Louise Slaughter Fulton/Hamilton/Herkimer/ Madison/Oneida/Otsego Erie Saratoga/Schenectady D D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP William Magee is a sponsor of Crystal Pepole-Stokes is a In 2007, Louise Slaughter became the Madelyn Thorne has been safe staffing ratios legislation sponsor of the staffing ratios bill and has first woman to chair the influential House out on the line in supporting nurses to and was a sponsor of the medical marijuana been a strong advocate for increased health Committee on Rules, where she helped to improve working conditions and to win union bill. He is also an opponent of hydrofracking services in her community. She supported bring the ACA, Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act organizing rights. in New York State. funding to provide a school nurse in every of 2009, and the Student Aid and Fiscal school. She is also a supporter of campaign Responsibility Act to passage. She is a Assembly finance reform to limit the power of big founding member of the Congressional 110 Phil Steck corporations and wealthy contributors. pro-Choice Caucus and its co-chair. Albany/Schenectady D – WFP Phil Steck is a strong supporter Hudson Valley of staffing ratios and has been tireless in his on the ground support for Assembly US Congress nurses in the Capital Region, turning out at 90 18 sean Maloney picket lines and pushing employers to do the Westchester D – WFP right thing. D – WFP Rep. Sean Maloney was 111 aNGelo Shelley Mayer is a sponsor of credited with helping to create Santabarbara our staffing ratios bill and a over 800,000 jobs in New Albany/Montgomery/ strong supporter of the ongoing struggle of York in the 1990s. Strengthening the health Schenectady NYSNA nurses at Westchester County Medical and financial security of America's retirees D – WFP Center for a fair contract. have been among his priorities in the 113th is a champion of nurses Congress. and working people. He has come out in Senate 94 aNDrew Falk support of numerous struggles by NYSNA 19 sean Eldridge 35 aND rea Stewart-Cousins Westchester nurses and other area unions. He is a backer D – WFP D – WFP Yonkers/Westchester of staffing ratios legislation. Andrew Falk is running against Sean Eldridge is president of D – WFP an incumbent who is not a the Hudson River Fund, which Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a sponsor sponsor of staffing ratios. He is a strong invests in small businesses in of the staffing ratios bill and plays a advocate for the environment and has been the Hudson Valley region. He believes that leading role in preserving tenant’s rights, endorsed by the League of Conservation affordable healthcare is a basic right of every Central NY increasing the minimum wage and passing Votes. He was endorsed by NYSNA when he American. Eldridge opposes cuts to Social the Women’s Equality Act in Albany. ran for the seat in 2012 and we look forward Security and Medicare, is a stalwart on issues to working with him in the Assembly in 2015. of environmental protection, LGBT equality 36 ruth Hassel- and campaign finance reform. Thompson 99 Bronx/Westchester Rockland/Orange D D – WFP Ruth Hassel-Thompson is a James Skoufis is a sponsor of sponsor of the staffing ratios bill and a strong staffing ratios legislation and voice for workers in the Senate. has taken an active role in the fight against closure of hospitals and downgrading of 40 Justin Wagner healthcare services in his district and the Dutchess/Putnam/ Hudson Valley area. North Country Westchester D – WFP 100 US Congress Assembly Justing Wagner is running for Orange/Sullivan 21 aaron Woolf a vacant seat in the Senate and his victory D – WFP 126 Diane Dwire D – WFP will help elect a Senate that will act on issues Aileen Gunther is a nurse and Cayuga/Chenango/Onondaga/ Aaron Wolff is a strong backer that are vital to nurses, patients and their has taken an active role in Cortland of Medicare and Social Security. communities. defending nursing and patient care. She is a D – WFP He often speaks in support of sponsor of the staffing ratios bill and played a Diane Dwire is a nurse and NYSNA 41 Terry Gipson the need for greater access to health services. key leadership role in the passage of the safe member running against an incumbent. Dutchess/Putnam He has worked in behalf of pro-choice policies patient handling bill this year. D – WFP and LGBT equality. Before running for office, She is a strong supporter of staffing Terry Gipson is a sponsor of Mr. Woolf produced and directed award- ratios legislation and creating a single the staffing ratios bill and has winning documentaries about the human payer system in New York. supported increases in the minimum wage. consequences of government policy for more He is a sponsor of the Women’s Equality Act. than 20 years. voter Guide NEW YORK NURSE 9 October 2014 NYSNA GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

Office Candidate Area Represented Party Vote for endorsed candidates on the Working Families NY State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli Statewide D – WFP Party (WFP) line. A stronger WFP will help us win ratios! NY State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Statewide D – WFP NY State Senate District District Candidate

TO THEU TO POLLS. area Represented Party 3 Adrienne Esposito 16 Toby Stavisky 27 Brad Holyman 35 Andrea Stewart- 44 Suffolk Queens Manhattan Cousins Albany / Rensselaer IDE WITH YO

U D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP Yonkers / Westchester D – WFP D – WFP 4 18 Martin Dilan 28 Liz Krueger 46 Cecilia Tkaczyk Suffolk / Nassau Brooklyn Manhattan 36 Ruth Hassel-Thompson Albany / Greene / R – C D D – WFP Bronx / Westchester Montgomery / TAKE THIS G D Schenectady / Ulster 10 James Sanders 20 Jesse Hamilton 29 Jose Serrano D – WFP Queens Brooklyn Manhattan / Bronx 37 George Latimer D – WFP D D – WFP Westchester 49 Madelyn Thorne D – WFP Fulton / Hamilton / Herkimer- 11 Tony Avella 21 Kevin Parker 30 Bill Perkins Saratoga / Schenectady Queens Brooklyn Manhattan 38 David Carlucci D – WFP D – IDC D – WFP D – WFP Rockland / Westchester D – WFP – IDC 53 David Valesky 12 Michael Giannaris 23 31 Adriano Espaillat Madison / Onondaga / Oneida Queens Brooklyn / Bronx 40 Justin Wagner D – IDC D – WFP D – IDC D – WFP Dutchess / Putnam / Westchester 55 Ted O’Brien 13 Jose Peralta 24 32 Ruben Diaz D – WFP Monroe / Ontario Queens Staten Island Bronx D – WFP D – WFP R – C D 41 Terry Gipson Dutchess / Putnam 60 Marc Panepinto 14 Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. 25 Velmanette 33 Gustavo Rivera D – WFP Erie Queens Montgomery Bronx D – WFP D – WFP Brooklyn D – WFP 42 John Bonacic D – WFP Delaware / Orange / Putnam / 63 Timothy Kennedy 15 Joe Addabbo 34 Jeffrey Klein Ulster Erie Queens 26 Daniel Squadron Bronx / Westchester R – C D – WFP D – WFP Brooklyn D – IDC D – WFP NY State Assembly District Candidate area Represented Party

1 11 Kim Jean-Pierre 19 Edward Ra 32 Vivian Cook 40 Suffolk Nassau / Suffolk Nassau Queens Queens D – WFP D – WFP R – C D D – WFP

2 Thomas Schiliro 12 Andrew Raia 20 33 Barbara Clark 41 Suffolk Suffolk Nassau Queens Brooklyn D – WFP R – C D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP

3 Edward Hennessey 13 Charles Lavine 22 Michaelle Solages 34 Michael DenDekker 42 Rodynese Bichotte Suffolk Suffolk / Nassau Nassau Queens Brooklyn D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP

4 14 David McDonough 24 35 Jeffrion Aubry 43 Karim Camara Suffolk Nassau Queens Queens Brooklyn D – WFP R – C D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP

5 Al Graff 15 25 36 44 James Brennan Suffolk Nassau Queens Queens Brooklyn R – C R – C D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP

6 Phillip Ramos 16 Michelle Schimel 26 Ed Braunstein 37 Catherine Nolan 45 Steven Cymbrowitz Suffolk Nassau Queens Queens Brooklyn D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP

9 Joseph Saladino 17 Tom Mckevitt 30 Margaret Markey 38 Mike Miller 46 Alec Brook-Krasny Nassau / Suffolk Nassau Queens Queens Brooklyn R – C R – C D D D

10 Chad Lupinacci 18 Earlene Hooper 31 39 47 Nassau / Suffolk Nassau Queens Queens Brooklyn R – C D D – WFP D – WFP D 10 New York Nurse voter guide October 2014 NY State Assembly, cont. 49 Peter Abbate 65 82 100 Aileen Gunther 123 Brooklyn Manhattan Bronx Orange / Sullivan Broome D – WFP D – WFP D D – WFP D – WFP

50 Joseph Lentol 66 Deborah Glick 83 Carl Heastie 103 Kevin Cahill 125 Barbara Lfiton Brooklyn Manhattan Bronx Dutchess / Ulster Cortland / Tompkins D D D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP

51 Felix Ortiz 67 Linda Rosenthal 85 104 Frank Skartados 126 Diane Dwire Brooklyn Manhattan Bronx Dutchess / Ulster / Orange Cayuga / Chenango / D D – WFP D D – WFP Onondaga / Cortland D – WFP 52 Jo Ann Simon 68 Robert Rodriguez 86 Victor Pichardo 106 Brooklyn 127 Al Stirpe Manhattan Bronx Columbia / Dutchess D Onondaga D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP 53 Maritza Davilla 69 Daniel O’Donnell 87 Luis Sepulveda 109 Brooklyn 128 Sam Roberts Manhattan Bronx Albany D Onondaga D D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP 54 Erik Dilan 70 Keith Wright 88 Brooklyn 110 Phil Steck 129 Manhattan Westchester Albany / Schenectady D D – WFP D – WFP Onondaga D – WFP D – WFP 55 71 Herman Farrell 89 Gary Pretlow Brooklyn 111 Angelo Santabarbara 135 Mark Johns Manhattan Westchester Albany / Montgomery / D D D Monroe Schenectady R – C – WFP 56 Annette Robinson 72 Guillermo Linares 90 Shelley Mayer D – WFP Brooklyn 136 Joe Morelle Manhattan Westchester 112 James Tedisco D D D – WFP Monroe, Rochester area Saratoga / Schenectady D 57 Walter Mosely 74 Brian Kavanaugh 91 R – C Brooklyn Manhattan Westchester 137 David Gantt D D – WFP D 113 Monroe / Rochester area Saratoga/Washington D 58 Nick Perry 75 Richard Gottfried 92 Thomas Abinanti D – WFP Brooklyn Manhattan Westchester 138 D D – WFP D – WFP 116 Addie Russell Monroe Jefferson / St.Lawrence D – WFP 59 76 Rebecca Seawright 93 D – WFP 141 Crystal Peoples-Stokes Brooklyn Manhattan Westchester D D – WFP D –WFP 118 Marc Butler Erie Fulton / Hamilton / Herkimer / D – WFP 60 77 Latoya Joyner 94 Andrew Falk Oneida / St. Lawrence 142 Michael Kearns Brooklyn Bronx Westchester R – C D D – WFP D – WFP Erie 119 Anthony Brindisi D – R – C 61 Matthew Titone 78 Jose Rivera 96 Kenneth Zebrowski Herkimer / Oneida 145 John Ceretto Staten Island Bronx Rockland D – WFP D – WFP D D Erie / Niagra 121 William Magee R – C 62 Joe Borelli 79 Michael Blake 97 Ellen Jaffee Madison / Oneida / Otsego 149 Sean Ryan Staten Island Bronx Rockland D R – C D D – WFP Erie D – WFP 63 81 99 James Skoufis Staten Island Bronx Rockland / Orange D – C D – WFP D – WFP US Congress District Endorsed area Represented Party 1 Tim Bishop 7 Nydia Velazquez 12 Carolyn Maloney 17 Nita Lowey 23 Martha Robertson Long Island Brooklyn Manhattan / Queens Bronx / Westchester South-Western NY / Finger D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP Lakes D – WFP 3 Steve Israel 8 Hakeem Jeffries 13 Charlie Rangel 18 Sean Maloney Long Island Brooklyn Manhattan / Bronx Hudson Valley 24 Dan Maffei D – WFP D – WFP D D – WFP North-Central NY / Syracuse D – WFP 4 Kathleen Rice 9 Yvette Clarke 14 Joe Crowley 19 Sean Eldgridge Long Island / Queens Brooklyn Queens Hudson Valley 25 Louise Slaughter D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP North-West NY / Rochester D – WFP 5 Gregory Meeks 10 Jerrold Nadler 15 Jose Serrano 20 Paul Tonko Queens Manhattan Bronx Albany Area 26 Brian Higgins D D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP Western NY / Erie / Niagra / Buffalo 6 Grace Meng 11 Dominic Recchia 16 Eliot Engel 21 Aaron Woolf D – WFP Queens Staten Island / Brooklyn Bronx North Country D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP D – WFP NEWS IN BRIEF NEW YORK NURSE 11 October 2014

Franklin Hospital protests Franklin Hospital nurses in Valley Stream, Long Island, picketed on September 10 to protest North Shore LIJ Health System’s proposed cuts. North Shore LIJ would cut or eliminate Safe Patient Handling and Safe RN Staffing measures, as well as effectively ignore Violence in Workplace initiatives. Single payer hearings Starting November 12, in Buffalo, Richard Gottfried, author of New York Health, begins NY State Assembly A first for the Health Committee hearings on single payer legislation. This Capital Region is the first of six hearings. For In the Capital Region, hundreds schedule of others and details, see of NYSNA nurses from Ellis www.nysna.org. Medicine, Bellevue Woman’s Center and Nathan Littauer Hospital join together in a multi-facility picket on October 9. This was the first time nurses from several facilities in the area came out in unison, seeking patient protections in the form of safe staffing guidelines and demand- ing respect for RNs. An Interregional meeting for these nurses is scheduled for the evening of October 29.

HHC victory On October 1, nurses from the 11 public hospitals and mayorals celebrated their “no givebacks” contract victory in Manhattan. More than 8,000 NYSNA members comprise the union’s HHC membership. They voted overwhelmingly – by a margin of Climate march NYSNA President Judy Sheridan- 97% – for the new contract over NYSNA joined the historic People’s Climate March in New York City on Gonzalez addressed a rally made the summer. September 21, where more than a quarter million marched and rallied up of labor’s supporters for the in mid-town Manhattan. People from around the world came to join the climate march. NYSNA was the March, as awareness of climate change, and its profound threat to the envi- first union to endorse the People’s ronment and public health, tops global agendas. Climate March. Non Profit Org. NEW YORK NURSE U.S. Postage PAID L.I.C., NY 11101 October 2014 Permit No. 1104

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Biennial report, p. 3 2014 Endorsements and Voter Guide, pp. 5-10