About 15,000 NYC nurses prepare to strike Monday morning as contract negotiations continue
The New York State Nurses Association president said Sunday the union made little progress with the remaining hospital systems still holding out.
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About 15,000 nurses in three New York City hospital systems are preparing to strike Monday morning if contract agreements are not reached.
The New York State Nurses Association president said Sunday the union made little progress with the remaining hospital systems still holding out.
As of now, Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian have yet to come to any agreement with NYSNA. News 12 reported strike notices at eight safety net hospitals have been rescinded.
The unions core demands include safe staffing, fully fund health benefits and protection against workplace violence.
"They were missing in action for much of the day action yesterday and refused to bargain late," said NYSNA president Nancy Hagans. "Nurses are ready to bargain all day and night to try and avoid a strike tomorrow."
Montifiore released a statement attributed to Joe Solmonese, Montefiore's senior vice president of strategic communications:
"NYSNA's leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job. We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last."
A spokesperson from Mount Sinai released a statement in response to the looming strike.
"Our patients are our top priority and we are well prepared to continue to deliver excellent care to our communities for however long a strike may last. We have secured more than 1,000 qualified and specialized agency nurses to join our care teams, many of whom have already been integrated into units across our hospitals. In the event of a strike all of our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open, and we expect most appointments will proceed as originally scheduled. There has been tremendous coordination across our entire network to manage discharges and ensure that we are prepared for the start of the strike and able to increase our capacity if a potential strike drags on."
A NewYork-Presbyterian spokesperson said their goal is to reach a fair and reasonable agreement with NYSNA and is hopeful one can be reached.
"The safety and care of our patients remain our top priorities. We have taken the necessary steps so our patients continue to receive the care they trust us to provide."
The NewYork-Presbyterian spokesperson added all hospitals remain open and are accepting patients. The following hospitals would be impacted by the strike:
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Upper Manhattan)
NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital (Upper Manhattan)
NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital (Inwood)
NewYork-Presbyterian Ambulatory Care Network (ACN - Columbia affiliated only)
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that she signed a two-week executive order ahead of the strikes.
"I signed a two-week Executive Order allowing hospital systems to access resources to maintain patient care," Hochul said.
