Listen: 1K Health Care Workers on the Chopping Block; Vinny Alvarez Leaves NYCLC Presidency

New York Presbyterian Health System plans to cut over 1,000 workers following a $750 million settlement with the survivors of convicted sexual predator Dr. Robert Hadden.

By Bob Hennelly

On this episode of “What’s Going On?” we talk with New York City Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez to discuss his retirement and the status of the American labor movement as he turns the page. Alvarez helped to restore the image of the CLC after it was rocked by a massive corruption scandal before he was elected its first full-time president in 2011. 

Alvarez catalogs the challenges the labor movement faces as President Donald Trump targets the federal agencies that protect labor rights and even occupational health—but remains optimistic that the growing popular support for the union movement will ultimately turn the tide. 

The CLC Executive Board unanimously voted to appoint Brendan Griffith, the CLC’s longtime Chief of Staff, to serve as Acting President effective July 1. The organization is made up of over one million workers from over 300 unions. 

In the second half of the show we hear from Aretha Morgan, an RN with over 30 years experience with the New York State Nurses Association who talks about New York Presbyterian Health System's plans to cut over 1,000 workers. The layoffs came after the system announced it was on the hook for a $750 million settlement for survivors of Dr. Robert Hadden's sexual abuse. 

In 2023, New York Presbyterian  CEO Steven J. Corwin was paid $14.6 million. Morgan describes the direct impact the staffing cuts will have on patient care. The veteran nurse describes what's at stake with plans by the Trump administration to gut Medicaid that tens of millions of Americans rely on.

Listen to the entire show below: