More than 350 Registered Nurses (RNs) employed at the Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca have formed a Union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Nurses said they Unionized because of deteriorating conditions that impact both their working conditions and patient care. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, Nurses have seen increasing short staffing that can leave them caring for an unsustainable number of patients, compromising patient care and Worker safety. “Unions are important in health care because they are associated with better patient outcomes. Many Nurses enter health care out of a sincere desire to help others, which can make us vulnerable to being overloaded at work,” said Heather Bretz, a 4N RN. “Unfortunately, the patient pays the ultimate price for this. Evidence clearly shows smaller Nurse-to-patient ratios mean better patient outcomes. Participation in a Union means I have a stronger voice when it comes to protecting my patients.”

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Nurses at Cayuga Medical Center Unionize, Citing Staffing Shortages | Ithaca | ithaca.com

Photo Courtesy Of The CWA.