PEF to members: Make history at health care rally
By
DEBORAH A. MILES
For almost a decade, PEF nurses have rallied every spring, calling for laws to
restrict mandatory overtime and to ensure safe staffing levels in New York’s
health care facilities.
Each year, the rally has grown with support from more nurses and other labor
unions. On Tuesday, June 10, PEF nurses will again gather at the state Capitol
in Albany to send their message to lawmakers. They hope this will be the last
time. (See ad)
“We want this to be the biggest, loudest and most persuasive rally we have ever
held,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “We ask all our members to join in this
fight for better health care. New York is dragging its heels, as 14 other states
have already adopted new laws or regulations to keep patients safer and to allow
nurses to practice their profession without working double or triple shifts.”
The rally begins at 11:15 a.m. and PEF leaders hope members who work in the
Capital Region will join their brothers and sisters to fight for a better health
care system.
“After we have worked extremely hard for the last eight years to improve the
working conditions of our nurses, the Legislature, at a minimum, should
recognize that mandatory overtime should be abolished,” said PEF Region 11
Coordinator Jemma Marie-Hanson, a nurse at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn.
“It is time to provide nurses with an environment where they can take care of
patients safely and respectfully, and not have to deal with the pressures that
come with mandatory overtime,” Marie-Hanson said.
“Surveys have shown the exodus of registered nurses is caused by difficult
working conditions,” Brynien said. “In our state almost 30 percent, or 69,000 of
the 237,000 registered nurses, are choosing to leave their profession because of
mandatory overtime. New York is facing a crisis in its own health care industry.
“We appreciate the growing number of legislators who have had the wisdom to
support these bills, but we need more support and action. Our goal is to
convince the Legislature and governor that working double shifts creates a
potential for medical mistakes, erodes family life and discourages people from
entering the nursing profession.
“This rally needs the support and power of all PEF members,” Brynien said.
If you would like to participate, contact your PEF regional office to confirm
your attendance and be a part of what may be a history-making event.
