NEW YORK – New York City’s largest and longest nurse strike is entering a new phase after tentative agreements were reached at most hospitals, while thousands of nurses at another system remain on strike.
“We’re proud of the progress made, but we’re not done yet,” a union member said. “Every nurse deserves the same staffing and safety protections.”
— NYC nurse on strike Hospitals with tentative agreements to end the strike Montefiore Medical CenterMount Sinai HospitalMount Sinai MorningsideMount Sinai West Hospital where nurses remain on strike NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Montefiore, Mount Sinai nurses
What they’re saying:
Union officials said more than 10,000 nurses at Montefiore Medical Center and the Mount Sinai system reached tentative contracts after more than four weeks on the picket lines.
“This has never just been about pay…it’s about making sure there are enough nurses at the bedside to keep patients safe.”
— NYC nurse on strike
The agreements include enforceable staffing standards, pay raises of more than 12% over three years, and expanded workplace safety protections, according to the New York State Nurses Association.
What’s next for the NYC nurses strike?
What’s next:
Nurses at those hospitals will now vote on whether to ratify the contracts. If approved, union officials say nurses are expected to return to work Saturday.
NewYork-Presbyterian nurses
The strike is not over citywide. About 4,200 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian remain off the job, saying they have not received the same guarantees on staffing and workplace safety in writing. Talks there remain unresolved, with safe staffing cited as the central sticking point.
“If you keep increasing patient volume and piling more responsibilities onto nurses, burnout becomes inevitable. We care deeply about our patients, and that emotional toll adds up.”
— NYC nurse on strike
The backstory:
The strike began Jan. 12 and grew into the largest and longest nurses walkout in New York City history, involving nearly 15,000 nurses at its peak.
Nurses said they walked out over staffing levels, pay, health benefits and workplace safety, arguing that burnout and patient safety concerns had reached a breaking point.
The other side:
Hospital systems say patient care has continued throughout the strike, supported by temporary staffing and state oversight.
As ratification votes get underway and negotiations continue at NewYork-Presbyterian, it remains unclear when the remaining nurses will reach an agreement and bring the strike fully to an end.
The Source: This report is based on information from NYSNA and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.