Mount Sinai South Nassau Nurses Vote To Unionize

OCEANSIDE, NY — A majority of nurses at Mount Sinai South Nassau voted in favor of unionizing Thursday night, the New York State Nurses Association announced.

"The South Nassau nurses worked for too long without a voice, without adequate compensation, and without a seat at the table to improve care and uplift standards at the hospital," NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said, "When nurses are in unions, we find standards rise and quality care increases. The nurses at South Nassau have banded together to make their lives and their patients’ lives better in the long run. We welcome them to the NYSNA family!”

The majority of nurses filed with the National Labor Relations Board in November.

"We recognize the tremendous sacrifices Mount Sinai South Nassau nurses have made during the pandemic and the challenges posed by a nationwide nursing shortage. Mount Sinai South Nassau nurses received 17 percent in pay increases and other enhancements during the last 15 months to recognize their experience," the hospital said in a statement. "The hospital hired 250 nurses last year. We look forward to continuing to work together to provide the high level of nursing care our patients have come to expect."

The decision to unionize comes after nurses at several New York City hospitals went on strike this week to achieve, in part, safe staffing levels.