WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, John Batson is the new Western Regional Director for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), succeeding Steve Bailey.  Batson, a 21-year Member of NYSNA who has worked as a Registered Nurse for the same period of time at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in Buffalo, tells WNYLaborToday.com his life changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which led to his decision to follow in his late Mother’s Activist footsteps and become more active in his Union.  (WNYLaborToday.com Photos)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – The COVID-19 Pandemic admittedly changed John Batson’s life, the new Western New York Regional Director for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) tells WNYLaborToday.com, which subsequently led him to his decision to follow in his late Mother’s Activist footsteps and become more active in his Union.

Batson, who was appointed Western Regional Director in September (2023) and who will be up for election in June to a full three-year term, has been a Member of NYSNA for 21 years - the same amount of time that he has worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) here in Buffalo.

Batson, who took over for former Director Steve Bailey - “a good friend,” tells WNYLaborToday.com his decision to get more active in his Union and take on the responsibilities of Regional Director grew out of dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic and what he learned from his Mother, the late Pearl White - a Banana Kelly (Banana Kelly History (youtube.com)) Community Revitalization Activist in the South Bronx, where Batson grew up with several other siblings.

“‘Hands down, COVID created my call to action,’” Batson tells Your On-Line Labor Newspaper.  “I ‘didn’t like what I was seeing (within ECMC).’  There were ‘no’ protections (for Caregivers) ‘and no’ direction (from hospital management).  (Medical Staff) ‘were doing things they (management) would not do.’  For instance, we were using ‘single use’ masks ‘for three days at most.’  ‘We provided our own’ respirators.  ‘We were going to Amazon to buy them.’  ‘We got them from spouses who worked in construction and those that were donated.’  Our protection department at the hospital ‘was fighting us because there were no regulations’ on respirators because it wasn’t what ‘they wanted.’”

So, the 53-year-old Batson decided it was time for a “quantum leap.”

After receiving the support of Bailey, he decided to step up.

“I ‘learned a lot.’  There were ‘a lot of moving parts and strained’ relationships.  ‘But I became active.’  ‘I was driven and guided in my beliefs because we needed to get people on the same page.’  ‘We needed to see eye-to-eye,’” Batson said. “I’m the ‘same person, every day.’  ‘The same demeanor and behavior - it doesn’t change.’  ‘I’m comfortable to be in this place and want to be successful in this position.’”

Bailey (Pictured Below, Seated In The Black-&-Red Flannel Shirt, With Batson and NYSNA Membership Chair Giovanna DiGesare, Her Back Turned To The Camera/Photo Courtesy Of Steve Bailey) - who has known Batson for 20 years, tells WNYLaborToday.com he actually trained Batson during his years at ECMC and noticed something about the RN right from the git-go.  (For More, Go To: “A Union Gives Voice To Those Who Don’t Have One” - Meet New York State Nurses Association Western Regional Director Steve Bailey, A 30-Year Registered Nurse Who Advocates For NYSNA Members Across WNY - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

“I ‘train a lot of people and you know when someone will go somewhere.’  ‘I recognized (Batson’s) potential,’” he said.  “He’s the ‘right person’ for the job.  John is ‘very articulate, but he has a quiet strength.’  He is a ‘well, thought-out person and he shows up.’  ‘He’s also calm, stoic, confident, deliberate - and I trust him to be on the right side.’”

It is more than possible that makeup which Bailey describes Batson having actually comes from his Mother, who Batson says was a Community Revitalization Activist in the Banana Kelly Neighborhood during the 1970s while he and his Brothers and Sisters grew up in the South Bronx.  She passed away at the age of 79 in 2022.

“My Mother ‘wasn’t afraid of anything and neither should I,’” he said. “I also served in the National Guard for eight years ‘and it taught me a lot, including attention to detail.’  ‘It taught me integrity.’  ‘But I love nursing - I love what I do.’  ‘It’s fulfilling.’  ‘And I think it’s all about karma, because one day I will be the patient.’”

NYSNA represents 1,200 Members in Buffalo, the majority being employed at ECMC. 

However, the Union represents Members who work within the Erie County Department of Health, and down in the Southern Tier of Western New York at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk and at Olean General Hospital.

In July (2023), NYSNA-represented Caregivers at ECMC ratified a new, five-year contract - agreement that specifically addressed workplace safety concerns, increased Nurses’ wages by 23% over the life of the deal and improved Safe Staffing Measures. (For More, Go To: NYSNA-Represented Nurses Employed At The Erie County Medical Center Ratify A New, Five-Year Contract - Agreement ‘Addresses’ Workplace Safety Concerns, ‘Increases’ Nurses’ Wages By 23% Over The Life Of The Deal & ‘Improves’ Safe Staffing Measures - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

Batson was part of the NYSNA Negotiating Team at ECMC and he describes the new contract there as “historic.” 

Overall, he says NYSNA Membership is “happy” with the agreement and - at this time, the relationship between the Union and Hospital Management is “fine.”

“We have a ‘healthy’ relationship,” he added.

Looking ahead, NYSNA has been involved in Organized Labor’s push to get Governor Kathy Hochul to adequately fund Medicaid, the Public Health Insurance Program that seven million low-income New Yorkers rely on. 

NYSNA was a major sponsor of a recent rally held in Downtown Buffalo where an array of Labor Leaders, Community Activists and Elected Officials called on the Governor to do the right thing.  (For More, Go To: Thousands Of Unionized Health Care Workers Rally Across NYS - Including Buffalo, Call On Governor Hochul To ‘Adequately Fund’ Medicaid, The Public Health Insurance Program ‘That More Than Seven Million Low-Income New Yorkers Rely On’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

“Hospitals ‘are only being reimbursed at (70%) and our Elected Officials have been receptive,’” he said.  “I ‘think we are going to get that increase in funding.’”

Overall, that’s a lot Batson has to deal with, as well as the stress that comes with it, but he’s found a way to decompress - he’s a self-described “Delaware Park Walker.’

“You ‘need to step back, breathe and then - come back,’” he said with a smile.

Bailey, meanwhile, says that “come back,” if you will, will continue to help NYSNA put Western New York “on the map.”

“‘No longer we will be considered to be Upstate,’” he said.  “(Batson) will get even more of our Membership involved (in their Union).  ‘He’s going to help take back things for our Membership.’  ‘And he will hold (those in power) accountable for (maintaining) a Safe Patient Ration that was agreed on by the State and help work to bring more people into our profession.’”