(LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK) - More than 700 Nurses and Health Care Professionals represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) who are employed at Northwell Health LIJ Valley Stream and Peconic Bay have voted - overwhelmingly, 99.5% - to authorize a Strike if Northwell Health management refuses to agree to safe staffing and fair wages.

Caregivers at the two facilities are demanding Northwell agree to fair contracts that prioritize safe staffing and fair wages and benefits to help recruit and retain Nurses.

Currently, Peconic Health Care Professionals are the lowest paid on Long Island.

The low starting rate makes recruiting and retaining enough Nurses and health care professionals a challenge and has led to high turnover and understaffing, NYSNA Officials said.

At LIJ Valley Stream, unsafe staffing ratios threaten the quality of patient care, they add.

While other Northwell facilities maintain a ratio in their medical-surgical departments of one Nurse to six patients in their contracts, LIJ Valley Stream Nurses have a ratio of one Nurse to eight patients.

Meanwhile, Nurses at LIJVS are demanding improved staffing ratios in their contracts to enhance patient care and attract and retain new nursing talent.

Other Northwell facilities in Long Island and New York City have agreed to respectful wage increases and improvements in benefits for their Nurses and Health Care Professionals.

LIJ Valley Stream and Peconic are asking their management for the same respect with fair contracts that will improve the quality of patient care for the community, NYSNA said.

NYSNA, which represents more than 42,000 Members across the State, is New York’s largest Union and Professional Association for Registered Nurses (RNs).  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.

Photo Courtesy Of NYSNA’s Facebook Page.