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To Our Valued Midwifery Colleagues,

We, the nurses and other healthcare workers of Health & Hospitals/Jacobi and North Central Bronx Labor & Delivery/Perinatal Health, write to you today to express our unwavering solidarity and profound respect as you embark on this difficult but necessary workplace action.

We understand that the decision to strike is never taken lightly, and it is a testament to the immense pressures, profound neglect, and untenable conditions you and our patients have been facing for far too long. Your commitment to advocating for safe staffing levels, fair pay, and improved working conditions is not just about your own well-being, but fundamentally about ensuring the highest quality of care for mothers, babies, and families. Because of the current recruitment and retention crisis among midwives at Jacobi and NCB, we know that conditions have deteriorated to the point where nothing short of a victory in your fight will allow for the ongoing existence of one of the most important programs in the country. A thriving midwifery program at Jacobi and NCB holds the answers to the crisis of massive racial disparities in maternal and newborn child health outcomes, as well as numerous other health care needs of families in the Bronx and elsewhere, and we will join you in doing whatever it takes to make that happen.

As nurses, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. We recognize the critical and often overlapping roles we play in the healthcare system. We share your dedication to patient care, and we also share your frustrations with systemic issues that threaten our ability to provide that care safely and effectively. We know firsthand the impact of understaffing, burnout, and inadequate resources on both healthcare professionals and those we serve. We will not allow the system to undermine your goals. 

Your fight is our fight. A strong, well-supported midwifery profession is essential for a robust and compassionate healthcare system. When midwives are undervalued and overworked, it compromises the entire continuum of care and puts our patients' lives at risk. Your bravery in taking this stand sends a powerful message that the invaluable work you do deserves to be recognized, respected, and adequately resourced.

In line with your sacrifice and bravery, we will also commit to the following during your action: 

• We will not perform any voluntary extra assignments, overtime, or other additional tasks that are associated with attempting to avoid the fiscal impact of your action. H&H needs to fully understand the value of your role during this absence. 
• We will document and coordinate among each other to share any information about H&H management flouting regulations, cutting corners, or putting patients in danger by not diverting or transferring critical patients or postponing non-critical patient care. 
• We will attend any public actions you organize, speak out alongside you, and otherwise assist in any way to bring this conflict to a swift and equitable resolution. 

We are confident that your collective action will bring about positive and meaningful change. Please know that you have our full support, our understanding, and our admiration. We will be watching your progress closely and hope for a swift and equitable resolution that meets your demands and secures a sustainable future for midwifery.