Nurses gathered on Friday in Midtown Manhattan for an emergency rally as contract negotiations continue, and the possibility of a strike draws closer.
“We are here because we have been fighting for patient and nurse safety for months here at our hospital,” Mount Sinai Nurse Goodness Iheanachor said.
What You Need To Know
Nurses gathered Friday in Midtown Manhattan for an emergency rally as contract negotiations continue, and the possibility of a strike draws closer
Negotiations are continuing through the weekend. If no deal is reached, nurses say a strike could begin as early as Monday
Five hospitals that remain in negotiations are: BronxCare, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, West Montefiore and New York-Presbyterian
The five hospitals that remain in negotiations are: BronxCare, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, West Montefiore and New York-Presbyterian.
The nurses, represented by New York State Nurses Association, say talks have stalled over three core issues: health care benefits, safe staffing standards and protections from workplace violence.
In recent months, there have been at least two violent incidents at hospitals in the city in which a person brandished a weapon.
Union leaders warn that without an agreement, nearly 16,000 nurses could walk off the job.
“We deserve also to be healthy and to be cared for,” New York-Presbyterian nurse Beth Loudin said.
Montefiore Health System disputes the union’s claims they say total $3.6 billion, including a nearly 40% wage increase.
In a statement, a spokesperson says: “We are preparing for what we anticipate could be a multi-week strike, and are resolute in devoting whatever resources are necessary to safe and seamless care for our community.”
A spokesperson for Mount Sinai says: “Most of the union’s claims about bargaining are untrue. Our negotiators have never proposed reducing healthcare benefits or the number of nurses we employ, in fact Mount Sinai has hired more than 1,000 new nurses over the last three years.”
The looming strike is drawing attention from Gov. Kathy Hochul, as New Yorkers wait to see if there will be an 11th-hour deal.
“I’m issuing an executive order to ensure that qualified personnel will continue offering care during this critical time, and our Department of Health is working around the clock to ensure that the hospitals have contingency plans,” Hochul said.
Negotiations are continuing through the weekend.