Brooklyn, N.Y.– On Tuesday, May 26, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP)-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital held a candlelight vigil outside the hospital to call attention to the rise in workplace violence.
The contract for approximately 1,400 nurses at the hospital expired on April 30, and nurses are demanding a fair contract that includes not only safe staffing standards but also protections from workplace violence. Several recent incidents of workplace harassment and violence have focused NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses on improving safety at the hospital. Earlier this month, hundreds of nurses picketed the hospital and spoke out, detailing recent violent incidents that have left nurses injured and shaken.
Local NYSNA President at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Aldrich Crispino, RN, said: “Nurses are resilient, but we also need better protection on the job and support from management when we are threatened, attacked or injured at work. We want NYP-Brooklyn Methodist to negotiate a fair contract that protects patient and nurse safety.”
Protection from workplace violence is a priority in the wake of a rising tide of violence in the hospital. From an active shooter incident in January to several incidents where nurses were harassed, groped and assaulted, nurses are looking for stronger protections, including a behavioral health rapid response team to deal with patients or visitors in mental health crisis. Nurses at this May 26 candlelight vigil recounted being attacked at work and witnessing the police-involved shooting at the hospital in early January.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said: “It’s past time for NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital to negotiate a fair contract with NYSNA nurses. Nurses in Brooklyn and everywhere deserve to work in safe conditions with staffing standards that protect their patients and practice.”
