NURSE LOBBY DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Nearly 1,000 nurses represented by PEF, the New York State Nurses Association, 1199SEIU Nurse Alliance and the Communication Workers of America rallied at the State Capitol May 21 to support legislation for Safe Patient Handling and Safe Nurse Staffing Ratios.
 
PEF President Susan Kent told a roaring crowd the time to pass the legislation is now. “We are here asking for good public policy from the state of New York. This state should be a leader of health care for the nation. Let’s make managed care a hallmark of what healthcare should be. We need the state to put the money where it needs to go. We need safe patient handling. Governor, make sure everyone is cared for,” Kent said.
 
The speakers included Assembly Members Eileen Gunther and Dick Gottfried, Senator Tim Kennedy, and other labor leaders.
 
Prior to the rally, the nurses visited with lawmakers in their offices to explain the need for the legislation. They shared heartfelt stories about the patients in health care facilities where they work, and how they take pride in providing quality care.

We are optimistic that the state Senate and Assembly will be voting on the Safe Patient Handling bill before the legislative session ends June 20.

PEF President Susan M. Kent speaks out on the failures of the Close to Home Initiative in an interview on Rochester television station WHEC

Message from President Kent

Click Here for a message from PEF President Susan M. Kent.

Workers Memorial Day Ceremonies

Events to commemorate Workers Memorial Day were held throughout the state both Sunday, April 28 and Monday, April 29. In the Capital Region, PEF President Susan Kent spoke at memorial ceremonies in Schenectady, Latham and Albany. Kent and PEF Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Garcia laid a wreath at the PEF monument on Monday, after Kent spoke about the need to improve health and safety conditions, not only in New York, but throughout the world. She cited fatal mining accidents in the U.S., a tragic fire at a garment factory In Bangladesh last November, and collapse of another Bangladeshi garment factory that killed hundreds of workers in April.

 

At noon, Kent joined state Department of Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera,  Eileen Franko, acting director for the Division of Safety and Health at DOL, and Gary China, Civil Service Employees Association occupational safety and health specialist at a courtyard ceremony at DOL in Albany. Each spoke about the need to "fight for the living," followed by a ground breaking for a tree to be a part of DOL’s memorial garden.

Union leaders and dozens of members attended the event.

PEF President Susan M. Kent's Appearance on Capital Tonight