May 17, 2024 — “What do we want? Safe staffing! When do we want it? Now!”
Health care workers from multiple unions made sure the halls of the State Capitol echoed with that message during a rally May 13, demanding swift action from the State and the Department of Health to address New York’s healthcare crisis by enforcing the 2021 Clinical Staff Committee Law.
“The state must do its job!” said PEF Vice President Randi DiAntonio to the pumped-up crowd. “We are here today because the Clinical Staffing Committees look good on paper, but so far they haven’t moved the needle for nurses or patients.”
Since the law went into effect in January 2023, there have been thousands of unresolved complaints filed on behalf of workers by their unions, including PEF, Communications Workers of American District 1, New York State Nurses Association, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, District Council 37, New York State United Teachers, United Federation of Teachers, and the New York State AFL-CIO.
“There are no substantial consequences for violations of unsafe staffing,” VP DiAntonio said. “Nothing requires employers to listen to nursing in developing the staffing plans. Nurses are reporting concerns about patient safety, but the problem remains. We need our hospitals to prioritize safe staffing and good patient outcomes.”
In addition to demanding hospitals follow the law, PEF is also calling for an expansion to other state agencies employing healthcare workers, like DOCCS, OMH, OPWDD, and OCFS.
Workers were joined in their call for immediate action by Assemblymembers Amy Paulin and Harry Bronson, and State Sen. Gustavo Rivera.