A Leader-Full Union

New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU) was born out of a desire by the staff nurses at Lenox Hill Hospital to have a Union that truly spoke to their needs and that fought for the nurses and for patient safety. The Registered Nurses at Lenox Hill Hospital were first organized into a union in 1980 by SEIU Local 1199. By 1984, a number of the staff nurses were disillusioned with the representation provided by 1199. The nurses considered affiliating with other unions, but ultimately decided that the best union for Lenox Hill staff nurses would be one devoted exclusively to representing them and operated by them. Thus, the New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU) was born. 1199 was officially decertified and NYPNU was chosen as the exclusive bargaining agent for the staff nurses through a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election majority vote in December 1984.

A Union of Nurses, For Nurses

NYPNU's elected leaders are all current or retired nurses, nurse practitioners, and case managers at the facilities NYPNU represents. When they negotiate the contract, they have to live with the results as employees working side-by-side with other NYPNU members. NYPNU's elected leadership is headed by President Kathleen Flynn, RN, Esq., and Vice President Roy Milbouer, RN. Along with the rest of the Officers, Delegates, Staff and membership, NYPNU has successfully negotiated contracts since 1985.

Building Power Together

Healthcare professionals throughout New York City continue to want to join NYPNU and our collective fight for quality patient care, better working conditions, and competitive benefits. Over the years, we have grown to include a more diverse group of nursing staff (including per diem registered nurses, case managers, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and lactation specialists) and have added more hospitals to our Union. Our sites have grown to include Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH) in 2000 and Lenox Health Greenwich Village in 2015.