New York nurses union sues state, hospitals over coronavirus working conditions

The Hill ^ | 04 20 2020 | Justine Coleman

[yesthatjallen]

The New York state nurses union filed lawsuits against the state and two hospitals Monday over what it says are unsafe working conditions and a lack of protective equipment.

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) sued the New York Department of Health and two hospitals, Montefiore Medical Center and Westchester Medical Center, claiming they put nurses’s health and safety at risk.

NYSNA alleges in the suits that some nurses were not given impermeable gowns and personal protective equipment and nurses redeployed to hospitals other than those they normally worked at were not given sufficient training. The lawsuits say high-risk employees like pregnant nurses were not provided safe working conditions.

The lawsuit against the state department of health was filed in New York Supreme Court, New York County, and calls for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) to require direct care nurses receive at least one N95 respirator daily. NYSNA claims in the lawsuit that some New York nurses are being instructed to come to work sick.

NYSNA Executive Director Pat Kane said in a statement that more than 70 percent of the union’s nurses are reporting exposure to COVID-19, and most have not been tested.

“These lawsuits were filed to protect our nurses, our patients and our communities from grossly inadequate and negligent protections,” Kane said. “We cannot allow these dangerous practices to continue.”

SNIP

[yesthatjallen]

Amazing.

New York nurses actually recognize Cuomo and New York are responsible and not Trump.

[libertylover]

Amazing. New York nurses actually recognize Cuomo and New York are responsible and not Trump.

That's what I was thinkin' my own self. Surprised they are suing Comrade Cuomo and not Trump.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

This is embarrassing. Even 3rd world countries would be better equipped sigh.

[RetiredTexasVet]

“...were not given sufficient training.”

These were student nurses without licenses and CEU requirements?

[TheWriterTX]

I certainly understand their frustration, but it is not reasonable to presume that a hospital can be prepared for every contingency.

I say this as someone who is still working in a high exposure position, who has been hospitalized twice and quarantined once, and have lung damage now because of it.

If the hospitals were not prepared to safeguard all staff, they should have only brought in those they could protect.

[Blood of Tyrants]

This is one of the reasons that there should be no CV lawsuit immunity.

[shanover]

Maybe they have a good case. My question is why is nursing unionized?

[MacMattico]

My niece is young, fresh out of nursing school, and was working on a day surgery recovery unit. She was given the choice of becoming unemployed or working in the ICU. She chose the ICU. But she wasn’t given the protective gear that was available and wasn’t told when those that she had contact with (fellow nurses) became sick. She got sick but it wasn’t Corona— it seemed like it but she tested negative and felt better within 4-5 days. Tested negative for flu. Well, she learned the hard way to stick up for herself and demand PPE and more precautions. And her hospital never had a shortage. She’s in upstate NY. Her hours have been cut every week for the past three. Her county is still highlighted as a hot bed for the disease though.

[VanShuyten]

I understand the worries these nurses might have, but I would first look into the connection between union leadership and the lawyers they hired.

This sounds too much like The Sopranos.

[IronJack]

You knew the scum- sucking union trash would have to exploit this crisis, like all good liberals.