NYSNA Nurses Hold Candlelight Vigil at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital to Highlight Workplace Violence

New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP)-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital held a candlelight vigil Tuesday outside the hospital to call attention to the rise in workplace violence. The contract for approximately 1,400 nurses at the hospital expired on April 30, and nurses are demanding a fair contract that delivers enforceable safe staffing standards, protections from workplace violence, and more.

Several recent incidents of workplace harassment and violence have focused NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses on improving safety at the hospital. Earlier this month, hundreds of nurses picketed the hospital and spoke out, detailing recent violent incidents that have left nurses injured and shaken. Elected leaders also sent an open letter to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital executives to “express strong support for the nurses at your facility and to urge the hospital administration to bargain in good faith and swiftly reach a fair contract.”

Nurses experience some of the highest rates of workplace violence. Protection from workplace violence is another priority in the wake of a rising tide of violence in the hospital. From an active shooter incident in January to several incidents where nurses were harassed, groped and assaulted, nurses are looking for stronger protections, including a behavioral health rapid response team to deal with patients or visitors in mental health crisis.

Nurses at the May 8 info-picket and at the May 26 candlelight vigil recounted being attacked at work and witnessing the police-involved shooting at the hospital in early January. Read more from NYSNA, read coverage from the Brooklyn Paper, and see more photos from the vigil here.