URGENT UPDATE: Thousands of nurses across New York City and Long Island have officially delivered a 10-day strike notice, signaling a potential walkout on January 12 if contract negotiations fail. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) warns that 20,000 nurses at multiple private-sector hospitals could strike, marking the largest nursing strike in NYC history.
This developing situation affects major hospitals, including Mount Sinai, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and Montefiore. Nurses are demanding fair contracts that ensure their healthcare benefits are protected and maintain safe staffing standards, critical for patient care.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans expressed urgency, stating, “Management is refusing to guarantee our healthcare benefits and trying to roll back the safe staffing standards we fought for and won. We have been bargaining for months, but hospitals have not done nearly enough to settle fair contracts that protect patient care.”
Additionally, another 1,000 nurses from three Northwell Hospitals on Long Island could join the strike, intensifying the impact on healthcare services in the region.
In response, a spokesperson for Mount Sinai criticized the union, stating, “After only a day of working with a mediator, NYSNA is yet again threatening to walk away from patients’ bedsides. This time, they insist on increasing average nurse pay by $100,000.” The spokesperson highlighted that federal funding cuts are projected to cost New York hospitals $8 billion and lead to 35,000 job losses.
The urgency of this strike notice underscores the critical challenges facing healthcare workers today. With the deadline approaching, both nurses and hospital management must find common ground to avoid a significant disruption in patient care.
As this situation unfolds, the healthcare community and patients alike are left anxiously awaiting further developments. The stakes are high, with potential ramifications for thousands of patients relying on these essential services.
Stay tuned for more updates as negotiations continue. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether nurses will strike or if an agreement can be reached that prioritizes both their needs and patient care.
