The Tamesis
The largest nurses strike in New York City history begins after five major hospitals and state nurses union negotiators Unable to agree Sign a new contract before Monday’s deadline.
New York State Nurses Association says Nearly 15,000 nurses Five private hospitals are now on strike: Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Montefiore Einstein Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
NYSNA said nurses at Mount Sinai began striking at 6 a.m. and nurses at other hospitals began protesting an hour later. The union said it would provide another update at a news conference Monday morning.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency over concerns the strike could jeopardize critical care for thousands of patients in the city.
What’s holding up negotiations
bargaining all weekendbut failed to reach an agreement.
NYSNA accuses Montefiore Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital of putting profits over safe patient care.
The union said the city’s richest hospital system refused to compromise on issues including pay raises, safe staffing levels, comprehensive health insurance, pensions and workplace violence prevention.
“Instead of protecting the health care of their nurses, these wealthy hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who are risking their own health to care for New Yorkers,” Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), said Saturday.
A statement from Montefiore called some of the demands “reckless and irresponsible.”
The hospitals called the strike “reckless” in a joint statement, accusing nurses of abandoning patients.
“NYSNA leadership has chosen to abandon patients in their time of need, but not Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital,” the hospital said. “Their decision to abandon patients can only be described as reckless.”
Some hospitals in the area are able to reach an agreement Partnering with NYSNA, including all Northwell Healthcare facilities in Nassau County, while others previously withdrew strike notice.
What the strike means for patients
Governor Hochul signed an executive order last week to ensure the state Department of Health has staff at affected hospitals to ensure patient safety and continuity of care during the New York City nurses’ strike.
Hospital officials said no one should delay treatment or postpone appointments, but patients should be alert to any direct updates from health care providers.
NYSNA also said patients should continue to seek treatment, and leaders said at a news conference on Sunday that seeking treatment did not cross a strike line.
The most important thing for patients is that hospitals will remain open and continue to provide care during the strike.
Mamdani on nurses strike
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the impending strike in a post on the X website Sunday night. The content is as follows:
The safety and well-being of the city is my top priority, and ensuring New Yorkers get the care they need is critical, especially during flu season.
The city’s emergency management team, the FDNY, the health department, the public hospital system and my senior leadership team are in constant communication and monitoring the situation closely. We are prepared for any situation, including strikes.
No New Yorker should fear losing access to health care, nor should any nurse be asked to accept less pay, fewer benefits, or less dignity for doing their lifesaving work. Our nurses get this city through its toughest times. Their value is non-negotiable.
I am relieved that most hospitals have reached an agreement and urge the remaining parties to stay at the negotiating table and reach an agreement that respects our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.
