NEW YORK (PulseWire) — In a significant escalation of labor disputes, thousands of nurses across three major hospital systems in New York City have launched a strike after weekend negotiations failed to produce satisfactory results. The walkout began at 6 a.m. at The Mount Sinai Hospital and its affiliated campuses, as well as at NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
Approximately 15,000 nurses are participating in this strike, according to the New York State Nurses Association. Given the ongoing severe flu season, this strike has the potential to severely impact hospital operations, possibly necessitating the transfer of patients, the cancellation of procedures, and the redirection of ambulances. Healthcare services in unaffected hospitals may also face increased demand as patients seek care away from the striking facilities.
To mitigate disruptions, the affected hospitals have been hiring temporary nurses. In an attempt to reassure patients, Montefiore Medical Center stated that they would work to keep appointments as scheduled.
The strike affects multiple locations, but each hospital is conducting negotiations with the union separately. Several other hospitals in the city have succeeded in reaching agreements in the days leading up to the strike.
The nurses' demands address critical issues such as staffing levels and workplace safety. The union has cited excessive workloads and inadequate security measures, referencing a recent incident where a man barricaded himself in a hospital room before being fatally shot by police.
Additionally, the union is advocating for restrictions on the deployment of artificial intelligence within hospital operations. The nonprofit hospitals claim they have made strides in enhancing staffing conditions; however, they argue that the union's overall demands are financially untenable.
Nurses authorized the strike last month, prompting both New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani to express concerns over the potential fallout. As the deadline approached, Mayor Mamdani urged both sides to continue negotiations and find a compromise that respects the contributions of nurses while ensuring the continuity of healthcare services. Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani remarked.
The last major nursing strike in New York City occurred just three years ago, resulting in a three-day work stoppage that ultimately improved pay and staffing standards for nurses.
