Thousands of nurses remained on picket lines for a third straight day Wednesday, as negotiations are at a standstill in what has become the largest nursing strike in New York City history. The New York State Nurses Association said talks between its members and five private hospital systems have failed to produce a deal and accuse hospital management of union busting. On Day 2 of the strike, nurses were seen chanting, ringing bells and waving signs outside hospitals across the city, including Mount Sinai facilities in Manhattan. The union claims three labor and delivery nurses were "unlawfully terminated" the night before the strike began. Mount Sinai pushed back, saying the nurses were fired for interfering with temporary nurse training and patient safety, alleging they "locked away critical supplies needed to care for vulnerable newborns." Nurses say they are demanding safer staffing levels, reduced emergency room overcrowding, improved patient-to-nurse ratios, protections against workplace violence, higher pay and preserved benefits. Both Montefiore Health System and Mount Sinai Health System have called the union’s proposal unreasonable, claiming it would cost billions of dollars and raise average nurse salaries to nearly $250,000. A Mount Sinai spokesperson said the hospital has sufficient resources to withstand the strike into next week. Meanwhile, roughly 15,000 nurses across the city say they will remain on the picket lines until a deal is reached.