Nurses at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y., are exploring whether to join the New York State Nurses Association.
On Sept. 24, nurses filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election, according to an NYSNA news release.
The NLRB website states that workers may petition for an election after collecting signatures from at least 30% of employees in a potential bargaining unit. If the agency verifies sufficient interest, it will schedule an election.
If a majority of nurses vote in favor and the NLRB certifies the results, nurses at Long Island Jewish Medical Center would join thousands of NYSNA members already working at nine other Northwell facilities, according to the union.
Jean Butler, RN, said in the release, “We have worked really hard over the past several months to show the hospital that we are united and that we will not stop until we are recognized as a union and our voice is respected. Nurses are overworked, burnt out, and are demanding more for the patients we care for and our co-workers! We are so excited for this election and to finally join NYSNA and have the strength of NYSNA nurses with us.”
Northwell said in a statement shared with Becker’s: “We respect our team members’ rights to explore joining a union and remain committed to continue working in partnership with our nurses and all team members to deliver the best care to our patients.”
