Statement of Debbie White, RN, HPAE President, on NYSNA Nurses Strike at New York Hospitals

EMERSON — “We stand in solidarity with the NYSNA nurses as they advocate for safe staffing and safer working conditions. These issues directly affect the quality of patient care. Numerous studies demonstrate that mandated staffing ratios improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and can even lead to higher hospital reimbursement. Safer hospitals mean safer patients.

“No nurse ever wants to strike, but HPAE nurses understand that these are critical issues and must be addressed by hospital leadership. Nurses in New Jersey are facing the same workplace challenges as NYSNA nurses. Until lawmakers or state regulators take action in New Jersey to mandate ratios, HPAE Nurses will continue to fight for safe staffing in our union contracts. This strike impacts all healthcare workers who are working to improve patient care.”

~ HPAE President Debbie White, RN 

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HPAE is the largest union of registered nurses and health care professionals in New Jersey. Since its founding by Englewood Hospital nurses in 1974, HPAE has expanded across the state and into Southeastern Pennsylvania representing more than 15,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities. HPAE is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.