(BROOKLYN, NEW YORK) – New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Nurses employed at NewYork-Presbyterian Methodist Hospital have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract with wage increases of 7%, 6% and 5% with full retroactive pay, and in the process - averted a Strike.

The contract victory comes after an intense fight against proposed staffing cuts at the hospital.

NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Nurse Leader Christina Mazza, a Registered Nurse (RN), said: “This new contract is a win for Nurses and our patients.  The Nurses came together and fought back against management’s regressive proposals, including staffing cuts.  We even made safe staffing gains, which will help us deliver the quality care our community deserves.”

The NYSNA Nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital spoke out about proposed cuts that they said threatened quality care for the Brooklyn community at an informational picket that was held in early May and built support from the local community who posted window signs throughout the area, calling on hospital administrators to “Listen to the Nurses.”

As a result, 99.6% of Nurses voted yes to authorize a Strike and Nurses delivered their notice to walk the picket lines on June 12th unless an agreement could be reached.

On June 1st there was a breakthrough and both sides reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.  NYSNA Members voted on ratification on June 5th, 6th and 7th.

NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Nurse Diane Bonet, a RN, said: “It has been a long and challenging road to reach this agreement, but we’re excited to have a new contract that protects quality care for our community and delivers respectful salary increases on par with Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian's flagship hospital in Manhattan.  This was truly a team effort.  We could not have accomplished what we did without the full support of all the nurses.”

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said: “Our Nurses at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist are once again proving that when we fight, we win!  It takes courage to stand up to your employer, even when you know that what you are fighting for is right.  I applaud these Brooklyn Nurses who were ready to do whatever it takes to protect quality care for their community."

The Nurses’ contract at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist ended on April 30th (2023) and the Nurses were among the tens of thousands of Private Sector New York City NYSNA Nurses whose contracts expired at the end of 2022 and early this year.

Last January, NYSNA Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian’s flagship hospital in Manhattan reached a three-year contract agreement that increased Nurse staffing, improved staffing standards and enforcement, preserved health care and other benefits, and increased salaries each year of the contract by 7%, 6 %, and 5%. 

This settlement paved the way for similar agreements at other New York City Hospitals.

Nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital went on Strike before reaching new contract agreements.

NYSNA - New York’s largest Union and Professional Association for RNs, represents more than 42,000 Members across the State.

NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the country's largest and fastest-growing Union and Professional Association of RNs, with more than 225,000 Members nationwide.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Nurses Ratify New Contract, Averting Strike | New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)