A historic strike involving nearly 15,000 nurses is taking place at hospitals across Manhattan and the Bronx, following unsuccessful contract negotiations over the weekend. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has initiated picket lines as early as 6 a.m. on Monday, affecting major medical centers, including Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Health System, and NewYork-Presbyterian.
Outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Harlem, striking nurses braved the cold, chanting, “the nurses united will never be defeated.” Emergency-room nurse Donovan Carey expressed frustration at being back on the picket line, stating that the strike is necessary to ensure safe staffing levels and demanding the implementation of metal detectors in hospitals to enhance security. “Hospitals are to be places of healing, not of fear,” he stressed, also calling for clearer policies regarding federal immigration agents’ access to hospitals.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans emphasized that the decision to strike was not taken lightly, citing a lack of options provided by hospital management. A spokesperson for Montefiore has warned that this strike could extend for weeks, while Dr. Brendan Carr, CEO of Mount Sinai Health System, noted that significant planning and personnel costs are required to manage operations during the anticipated prolonged strike.
This labor action marks the largest strike by nurses in New York City history, occurring against a backdrop of severe financial pressures on the healthcare system, particularly due to recent federal cuts to Medicaid and related funding. The nurses’ previous contracts expired at the end of December, and they are now seeking to safeguard their recent gains in salary and staffing agreements achieved in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last strike in the city took place in 2023 and resulted in notable improvements for nurses.
While representatives from the hospitals claim that NYSNA’s proposed salary and benefit packages could lead to billions of dollars in costs, union leaders have pointed out that other hospitals with fewer financial resources have successfully resolved negotiations with the union. Meanwhile, Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed relief that most hospitals have reached agreements, urging remaining parties to continue discussions for a resolution that respects and honors the contributions of nurses while ensuring hospital operations remain intact.
The nurses’ association remains focused on negotiating wages, workplace safety, and addressing recent incidents of violence in hospitals, with an increasing push towards ensuring adequate staffing standards. As the situation develops, contingency plans are being coordinated by the city’s Emergency Management agency, FDNY, and public hospital systems to ensure patient care is maintained. The resolve of the nurses illustrates their commitment to advocating for better working conditions and patient safety amidst challenging circumstances.