Lorelei Belo-Ynayan works the night shift on 9 Wollman. She began working at LHH on March 26, 1990. She attended Filamer Christian College and has a certification in Medical –Surgical Nursing from American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).

“I got involved with the union because my colleagues suggested I should be involved. It’s a good way to get more news and keep up to date with what is going on. I also enjoy being able to help other people. As a delegate, I can see the real role of the Union in its dealing with the membership. Some Union members have the wrong idea about what the union does. If they get more involved, they can know what the Union really does. ”

“I would tell other Union members to get more involved. They should know the benefits of the contract and try to contribute. Most importantly they should be vigilant about what is going on. Often a nurse will see a violation of the contract and won’t say anything because she/he doesn’t want to rock the boat. I think the members need to be more courageous and assertive about speaking up and standing up for their rights. I'm a proponent of fairness and equality."

What Lorelei enjoys the most about her job is “familiarity in the rank and file. One gets the feeling that one belongs to a big family.”

"I am a 14-year nurse at LHH. I have always worked in critical care. For the first five years, I worked nights; now I work in the Recovery Room. I have been a delegate for three years. I walked the snowy picket line when the union went on strike. I had my infant son with me in his stroller.

"When I first learned about the union, I was impressed with the solidarity. I decided I wanted to be a more active member. I waited until my family obligations were less demanding and became more involved.

"I recently found out that an interest in unions runs in my family. My grandmother was active in the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) in the late 1930s. It was quite controversial at that time because she was a woman. Also, my grandfather ended up leaving her because she was so involved with her union and her political affiliations. My mom thinks that might be where I've inherited some of my interest in unionism."

Taniki Brown works in the ER and specializes in critical care. She began working at LHH in January of 2004.

She attended Long Island University.

“I’ve been a delegate since 2007. I became a delegate because I like helping people.”

What Taniki remembers most about the recent contract negotiations is “The unity of all the nurses and how we all came together and voiced our concerns and came away like the powerful union we are.”

“I live in Brooklyn. I just had my third child and celebrated my 7th wedding anniversary. I love the fact that I'm able to juggle my personal life and work like the pro that I am.”

What Taniki loves most about her job is “I work in the ER, I love the staff and the flexibility the job provides. One thing I will never forget is when I first came to the hospital for an interview. As soon as I got off the elevator someone greeted me and made me feel welcome. I must say that my first impression of friendliness is one of the fondest memories about this hospital.”

Marilyn Brown-Hageman resides in Upstate New York. She works the day shift on 8 Uris. Marilyn attended Lenox Hill Hospital School of Nursing, where NYPNU’s President Maureen McCarthy was one of her fellow students.

Marilyn began working at LHH in 1970 in the ICU. She specializes in psychiatric care. Marilyn left LHH for several years and came back when the hospital opened the psychiatric unit.

“I became a delegate a decade ago because I wanted to be current on what’s going on with nursing and the hospital, and share my knowledge with my colleagues.”

“I came back to the hospital a year after the strike. I remember being glued to the television. A year after the strike there were still conversations about it in the hospital.”

What Marilyn enjoys most about her job is “The location and challenge of working with a difficult population, and working effectively and well with that population.”

Kathleen Flynn works the day shift on the Pediatric Resource Team. She is the Vice President of NYPNU.

“In 1978, when I started working at LHH, there was no Nurses Union at the Hospital. At the time, there were problems with cutbacks, the housing program, and employee benefits. The Nurses realized that having a Union would give them the collective strength they needed to address their concerns with Management. I was involved with the initial organizing drive. We originally chose 1199 to represent us and when we realized that we weren’t getting the representation that we wanted, we formed NYPNU. “

“Before the Union, we had to rotate shifts all the time, sometimes we would work the day, evening and night shift all in one week! There was mandatory overtime, last minute scheduling, pay inequity. Basically we had no control of our work environment. We have made a lot of changes over the years increasing both benefits and salaries.

“Having a Union has allowed us to negotiate the terms of the contract we work under. Significantly, it provides a “grievance procedure”- ensuring that the welfare of our fellow colleagues is protected.. To prepare myself for a leadership role in the Union, I obtained a degree in Labor Law, in 1991, from Fordham University. My education and background in Labor Law has been an invaluable tool during negotiations and contract enforcement.”

Twenty five years ago this summer (2010), after four years of ineffective representation, a handful of colleagues and I realized that our interests as staff RNs would only be served by a Union of only staff RNs. Since none existed, we reached out to our colleagues and formed the New York Professional Nurses Union – a Union of nurses, by nurses and for nurses.

Following our successful election the NLRB certified NYPNU as the collective bargaining representative of Lenox Hill Hospital RNs. We have, over the last 25 years, negotiated ten contracts and have grown to include RNs at the then Manhattan Eye Ear Throat Hospital.

Our one strike in 1988 ended in six days and resulted in enormous gains for our members and many “firsts” – the first contract with explicit nurse/patient ratios, unlimited experience differentials and an absolute ban on mandatory overtime. We have also been instrumental in helping other RNs form independent Unions and have negotiated contracts on their behalf in both New York and New Jersey. In order to better represent our members I attended Fordham University Law School, received my law degree and was admitted to the bar in 1991.

I am truly proud to be being a Registered Staff Nurse and honored to be the President of NYPNU. I am also very proud of our delegates and membership and all we have been able to achieve together.

Diane Greenfeld is NYPNU’s Office Manager.
Diane graduated from Syracuse University’s SI Newhouse School of Communication in 1976 and worked as a producer of Television Commercials for several years. After a brief hiatus from the work force when her children were very young, Diane decided she was no longer interested in working in the Broadcast industry. The idea of working for a Union was compelling. She had been raised by very “pro labor” parents…her mom being an active member of the Teacher’s Union. “I remember knowing very early on, that you should never cross a picket line.”

“My 15 years at NYPNU has been a wonderful and extraordinary experience. The relationships I have developed with the Executive Board, Delegates, and Membership have been both incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. I feel truly privileged and lucky to have a job that gives me so much personal satisfaction.”

When Diane was asked what she likes most about her job she says “I love the fact that I get to wear so many hats. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to support our members. One day, I might be ordering paper supplies and the next day, I could be drafting a flier to the membership. Most gratifying is when a member feels that I have helped them to resolve a work related issue. Sometimes, a member will just need someone to listen to their problem with a sympathetic ear. I like being that person."

Most recently, Diane has enjoyed being an active part of the team responsible for the design and implementation of our new website. It is very exciting coming up with ideas to make the site a valuable vehicle for our members.

When Diane is not at the office, she enjoys the time she spends at her local YMCA, swimming and taking yoga classes. You may also spot her at the local Upper East Side thrift stores, hunting for bargains.

Dear NYPNU Member:

Greetings, New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU) Officers, Executive Board, Delegates and Members. I would like to introduce myself to you all. My name is Kathrina Suarez and I am your Director. I thank you in advance and I am very excited about this opportunity to serve your membership of 1000+ Registered Nurses.

My love for the Labor Movement began in the late 1980’s, when I was trying to find an entry level position and was unable to do so. As a result, I enlisted in the United States Army and six months later, I was in Saudi Arabia. I thought, “How did I get here to Operation Desert Shield/Storm?” I wondered how many young people enlist in the military, because they felt they did not have job opportunities at home. I promised myself that if I could have the chance that I would return back to my community to study labor and political issues which affect labor.

I eventually completed eight years in the military, (three years active and five years reserve) and then decided to study Political Science and Labor Studies at Queens College. I have also completed my Master's of Science Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations at Baruch College.

I served the members of Transport Workers Union Local 100, under the leadership of President Roger Toussaint for six years. I bring to NYPNU a wealth of mobilizing, event management, member services, political action, organizing, training development, administrative, management and grass roots experience. I am truly dedicated to the Labor Movement and to ensuring that members work under the protection of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

I live in Brooklyn, New York with my daughter, Leandra Palma, she is 13 years old and is in the seventh grade at Blessed Sacrament School.

Again, I am very happy to be here and I assure you that my skills, background, experience and education will be an asset to NYPNU’s leadership and membership. I look forward to meeting you all.

Sincerely,
Kathrina F. Suarez