Welcome to the Web page of the Federation of Nurses/UFT!

Here you will find information about our union, including the latest news pertinent to New York City nurses; our ongoing legislative initiatives; contact information for your union representatives; relevant forms and surveys; and the various services, programs, and benefits available to you as a member of the Federation of Nurses/UFT. Our mission is to bargain for better wages and working conditions and to protect our rights as working professionals responsible for the health of our city. We also advocate on behalf of patients: our contracts create an environment in which we can provide the highest quality care. As nurses, we have important jobs to do – and we want to see that conditions are such that we can do them! We hope you will take advantage of this Web page to stay up to date and become more involved with the union!

Who Are We?

Representing approximately 4,500 nurses, the Federation of Nurses/UFT is among New York City’s leading unions of healthcare professionals. Our members are registered nurses and licensed practical nurses at two private hospitals and two home healthcare agencies. We represent approximately 700 registered nurses at Brooklyn’s Lutheran Medical Center (LMC) and 300 RNs at Staten Island University Hospital’s (SIUH) South Site. In home healthcare, we represent about 2,200 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses at the Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) and 50 RNs at Jewish Home Healthcare (JHH).

We are an autonomous branch of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), New York City’s sole bargaining representative for public school teachers and the largest union local in the country with more than 200,000 members. As such, we are also affiliated at the state level with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and nationally with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), among the largest unions in the country. Including the Federation of Nurses/UFT, NYSUT represents approximately 22,000 healthcare professionals and the AFT represents more than 70,000 such professionals.

What do we do?

The Federation of Nurses/UFT is a leader in contract negotiations and enforcement of contract provisions. We fight hard to see that our members receive just compensation for their work and are treated with respect and dignity on the job. In particular, we have fought successfully against understaffing, mandatory overtime and unsafe conditions and for higher pay, preservation of pension benefits and the workplace rights of nurses and other healthcare professionals in New York City.

We are also active at the state level through our state affiliate NYSUT. NYSUT’s 22,000 healthcare professionals work jointly toward our shared objectives through the union’s Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC). The work of the council is wide-ranging, incorporating professional development initiatives, legislative lobbying, and various other programs and initiatives. The council meets approximately five times each year.

Get Active!

If you would like to become more active in your union, please contact a representative from your borough or workplace or contact the office directly at 212-420-7981 or by e-mail at nurses@uft.org. We hope to hear from you!

Meet our chapters:

Jewish Home & Hospital | Lutheran Medical Center | Staten Island University Hospital | Visiting Nurses Services | VNS LPN