The largest nurses’ strike in New York City history may start Monday morning as contract negotiations between hospital management and the nurses’ union remain stalled.
Nearly 16,000 Nurses Threaten Walkout
More than 15,000 nurses represented by the New York State Nursing Association (NYSNA) say they are prepared to walk off the job at 6 a.m. Monday if no tentative agreement is reached. The union says talks with hospital officials have shown no movement as the deadline approaches.
State of Emergency Declared
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency ahead of the potential strike, warning that a work stoppage could put thousands of patients at risk. She urged both sides to continue negotiating and reach a last-minute deal.
Hospitals Affected
Five major privately run hospitals would be impacted: Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Einstein, and New York-Presbyterian. The union describes them as the city’s wealthiest hospitals.
Hospital officials say they are prepared to maintain patient care during any work interruption and urged the public not to delay seeking emergency treatment.
Key Issues in Dispute
NYSNA is pushing for higher wages, enforceable safe staffing levels, full health care coverage, pensions, and stronger protections against workplace violence. The nurses’ previous contract, reached after a three-day strike in 2023, expired on Dec. 31.
Hospitals Push Back
Hospital systems argue the union’s demands are excessive. Mount Sinai said it is bargaining in good faith but is prepared for an extended strike. Montefiore Einstein criticized what it called “reckless” demands, including a proposed wage increase of nearly 40%, saying such measures could jeopardize patient care.
Other Strikes Averted
The standoff continues even as nurses at several other New York-area hospitals recently reached tentative agreements and called off planned strikes, including facilities on Long Island and at safety-net hospitals in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Union Cites Safety Concerns
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said wealthy hospitals are refusing to offer contracts that protect both nurses and patients, accusing them of trying to cut benefits during a severe flu season. She also pointed to a recent police-involved shooting at a Brooklyn hospital as evidence of growing violence faced by health care workers.
For more on the nurses’ strike, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.