Hundreds Of Nurses, Healthcare Workers To Picket Outside Hospital In Westchester

Hundreds of nurses and healthcare workers are planning on picketing outside of a Westchester hospital to seek a fair contract, union officials announced.

On Wednesday, May 1, hundreds of healthcare workers will picket outside Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow to demand more input on issues relating to patient care and staffing.

During Wednesday's event, which will be held from noon to 1 p.m., hospital employees, community supporters, and elected officials will gather outside the hospital campus.

The picketing comes after around 900 Phelps Hospital employees voted to form a union with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East in June 2022. Since then, workers have been fighting for a fair contract as well as improved pay and benefits, according to union officials.

According to the union, tens of thousands of 1199SEIU members at other Northwell Health facilities, including Northern Westchester Hospital, already have "strong contracts" that include no-cost family health insurance, guaranteed pensions, education funds, and competitive wages.

1199SEIU members from other Northwell facilities will also picket outside Phelps Hospital on Wednesday.