Nearly 16,000 nurses from major New York City hospitals, including Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian, are preparing to strike if contract talks fail, with key issues focusing on health benefits, safe staffing, and patient care. NYSNA president Nancy Hagans criticized the hospitals, saying, "Instead of guaranteeing health care for nurses, these wealthy hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who put their own health on the line to care for New Yorkers," as reported by CBS News New York.
Hospitals have warned the potential strike is "reckless," with Montefiore's Joe Solmonese stating, "NYSNA leadership's reckless and irresponsible demands totaling $3.6 billion, including a nearly 40% wage increase, clearly put patients at risk," according to CBS News New York. Governor Kathy Hochul urged both sides to continue negotiating and signed an executive order for contingency plans, while some hospitals, including Northwell Health facilities in Nassau County, have reached tentative agreements with NYSNA.
However, nurse safety concerns remain a pressing back drop, with nurse practitioner Dania Munoz telling ABC7 New York, "Violence is on the rise in our institutions and in our units. Nurses at the bedside, and not just nurses, doctors as well. Techs are getting hurt by patients." Despite the possibility of a strike, all hospitals concerned have asserted their resolve to remain open and continue delivering patient care. Mount Sinai Hospital's representatives have expressly stated, "We are prepared for a strike that could last an indefinite amount of time and have taken every step to best support our patients and employees in the event NYSNA forces our nurses to walk away from the bedside for the second time in three years." Whether an agreement is reached or not, the next hours are crucial for the hospitals, the nurses, and the welfare of countless New Yorkers dependent on their care.
