A heartbreaking incident has occurred in Queens, where a child was killed and their older brother injured after being struck. The tragic event has left the community in mourning and serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and safety, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Meanwhile, in Staten Island, a significant development has taken place as nurses at Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell have voted to authorize a strike. The New York State Nurses Association announced the vote, with 97% of the 1,300 nurses at SIUH voting in favor of striking. The decision comes as a result of concerns over below-market pay and frequent understaffing, which have been the primary issues raised by the union.

Nurses have expressed their worries about the compromising of patient care due to the changes made by Northwell Health, which they believe have led to a lack of staffing and increased workload. The union is advocating for a safer patient-to-nurse ratio, aiming for one nurse for every four patients, as opposed to the current ratio of almost one nurse to every ten patients. Additionally, the average base pay for nurses at SIUH-Northwell is reported to be below that of similar hospitals in New York City, which has prompted an exodus of staff seeking better-paying opportunities elsewhere.

The nurses’ demands for a 12% increase in pay this year and a 10% increase in 2025 have been met with a counteroffer from the hospital, which has proposed 3% in 2025, 2025, and 4% in 2026. With the two sides remaining far apart, the situation is poised for further negotiations as the current contract expires on March 31.

In response to the strike authorization, Northwell has stated its commitment to bargaining in good faith with the union to reach an agreement that ensures competitive compensation and benefits for the nurses, while maintaining a safe and supportive working environment. The ongoing developments at SIUH-Northwell are closely monitored as the community awaits further updates on the situation.