Brooklyn Methodist nurses demand action on rising workplace violence * Brooklyn Paper

NYSNA nurses held a candlelight vigil outside NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital to address rising workplace violence and to demand negotiations for a contract protecting patient and nurse safety. The union contract for nearly 1,600 nurses expired on April 30, following incidents including a fatal shooting in January. Nurses called for enforceable safe staffing ratios, sufficient nurse coverage, and strong workplace health and safety protections. These protections include meaningful safeguards against harassment and workplace violence, along with a behavioral health rapid response team to manage patients or visitors in mental health crises. A 2023 National Nurses United report found that eight in 10 nurses experienced workplace violence, with nearly half reporting increases on their units. Nurses reported frequent verbal threats, physical threats, and minor physical assaults such as pinching or scratching.

"NYSNA nurses held a candlelight vigil outside NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope on May 26, calling attention to the rise in workplace violence and demanding that hospital management negotiate a contract that protects patient and nurse safety."

"The union contract for the nearly 1,600 NYSNA nurses at Brooklyn Methodist expired on April 30, and in the wake of rising violence at the hospital, including a fatal shooting in January, they are calling on the hospital administration to agree to a fair contract that includes enforceable safe staffing ratios, sufficient nurse coverage and strong workplace health and safety protections."

"Those protections would include meaningful safeguards against harassment and workplace violence and a behavioral health rapid response team to manage patients or visitors in mental health crises."

"According to a 2023 report by National Nurses United, eight in 10 nurses have experienced at least one type of workplace violence. Almost half of nurses surveyed reported an increase in workplace violence on their unit in the previous year, compared to only 3.8% who said workplace violence had decreased on their unit."

Read at Brooklyn Paper