Community Corner
LIJ Valley Stream Nurses Vote In Favor Of Striking: Union
The vote gives Northwell Health a 10-day notice for a potential strike by hundreds of nurses.
![Nurses at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream have voted to authorize a strike.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24966732/20240202/121757/styles/patch_image/public/screen-shot-2024-02-02-at-121530-pm___02121553400.png)
VALLEY STREAM, NY — Nurses at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream overwhelmingly voted in favor of striking, the union announced Thursday.
Approximately 99.5% of the nurses at Valley Stream and Peconic Bay Medical Center, both Northwell Health facilities, have put the hospitals on notice, giving them a 10-day notice to grab the picket signs, Newsday reported.
More than 700 nurses authorized the strike.
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They cite a need for fair contracts that bring competitive wages and benefits and are also pressing for improved staffing of nurses, their union the New York State Nurses Association said.
A spokesperson for Northwell Health said: "We remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached and look forward to positive and productive ongoing negotiations."
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The union claims scheduling can hurt patient care as LIJ Valley Stream has one nurse to eight patients, while other Northwell facilities maintain a 1 nurse to 6 patient ratio.
"Safe staffing is not just about safety; it's crucial for recruitment and retention, affecting both new and seasoned nurses like myself. We deserve better for our profession and the patients we serve," Sandra Armstrong, a longtime register nurse at LIJ Valley Stream, said.
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