NYC and Long Island Nurses Announce 10-Day Strike Amid Contract Talks

In New York City and Long Island, thousands of nurses are gearing up for a potential strike. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has issued a 10-day strike notice that could involve 20,000 nurses at various hospitals. If successful, this strike would mark the largest nurse strike in the city’s history.

Details of the Strike Notice

The expected strike is set to commence on January 12, following the expiration of current contracts on December 31. Key hospitals involved include:

• Mount Sinai
• New York-Presbyterian
• Columbia University Medical Center
• Montefiore

Current Issues in Negotiations

Nurses are advocating for critical healthcare benefits and the maintenance of safe staffing standards. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans highlighted that management is attempting to roll back these essentials. She stated, “We have been bargaining for months, but hospitals have not done nearly enough to settle fair contracts that protect patient care.”

Impact on Long Island Hospitals

Additionally, the strike could extend to include 1,000 nurses from three Northwell hospitals situated on Long Island. This would further amplify the effects of the strike across the region.

Hospital Responses

The Mount Sinai hospital spokesperson expressed concern over the strike notice. They mentioned the financial implications of the ongoing negotiations, including significant federal funding cuts that could cost New York hospitals up to $8 billion and result in the loss of 35,000 jobs.

“NYSNA is yet again threatening to force nurses to walk away from patients’ bedsides while pushing demands for increased average nurse pay by $100,000,” the spokesperson added. The hospital management emphasized their commitment to reaching an agreement in good faith to prevent the strike and ensure continued high-quality patient care.

Conclusion

The atmosphere surrounding the negotiations remains tense. As January 12 approaches, the situation will be closely monitored by healthcare professionals and the affected communities in New York City and Long Island.