Fighting for Quality Care in New York

CWAers pressure lawmakers to pass the two critical bills in the Senate and Assembly.

CWA members from several CWA District 1 Health Care Coordinating Council locals were among the 1,500 health care worker activists who rallied and lobbied at the State Capitol in Albany last week to build support for two critical bills: safe staffing and safe patient handling.

CWA activists participated in two days of training, lobbying, rallying and solidarity, joining with members of PEF, SEIU 1199, NYSNA and NYPNU.

They spent several hours learning about lobbying, how bills pass through the legislature, why contributions to the Political Action Fund (PAF) matter and more, ending with a presentation on healthcare reform by Dr. Jamie Torres, regional director of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

CWA District 1 Healthcare Coordinating Council locals rally in Albany, NY.

The Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act would require all acute care facilities to comply with safe minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. The Safe Patient Handling Act would create a written policy, with training, on the proper procedures for lifting and moving patients that would reduce injuries to both patients and healthcare workers.

Speakers included elected union leaders, legislative sponsors of the bills and Mary Anne Reardon, a registered nurse and member of Local 1126, chair of the CWA District 1 Healthcare Coordinating Council.