In 1991, under the administration of Mayor David Dinkins, the city attempted to eliminate Public Health Nurses from most public schools. Local 436, the United Federation of Nurses and Epidemiologists, fought back and filed a lawsuit. The nurses won their battle: The outcome of the court action was a requirement that there be one Public Health Nurse in every school.

Once again the city is planning to cut back the PHNs in the schools, and once again Local 436 is fighting back. This time it’s the Bloomberg administration floating the idea of cutting back the hours that the PHNs work from 35 to 20 hours during the summer months. Local 436 President Gloria E. Acevedo led the offensive as the local started a leafleting campaign around town and in front of City Hall to stop the administration’s plans.

“Does the city really think that part-time hours and a handful of Public Health Nurses is all that’s needed to care for our school children and protect the city in case of a public health emergency?” asked Ms. Acevedo.

Public Health Nurses play a critical role in the city’s emergency response system. During the Sept. 11 disaster at the World Trade Center they quickly sprung into action and organized medical stations where they fitted respirators for other emergency personnel. During the anthrax scare, they handled the telephone hot lines.

As PEP went to press, Local 436 was preparing for another round of negotiations with the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene to block the reduction in hours. “We’re very confident that we will be able to work out an agreement with the city on this important issue,” said Ms. Acevedo. “We have some of the most hard-working members in the city, and the school children of New York deserve the best possible care available.”