Members of the New York State Nurses Association went on strike Jan. 9 at two New York City hospitals: Mount Sinai Medical Center on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
The union represents 7,000 nurses at the two hospitals, who are striking "for fair contracts that improve patient care," according to an NYSNA news release. Hospitals have moved patients and implemented other contingency plans to prepare for the strike.
Union members delivered 10-day strike notices Dec. 30 at multiple New York City hospitals, including NewYork-Presbyterian, Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Maimonides Medical Center, BronxCare, Richmond University Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center.
As of Jan. 6, tentative agreements had been reached on behalf of 4,000 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and about 1,300 nurses at Maimonides. A tentative agreement was also reached on behalf of 550 union members at Richmond University Medical Center, Bloomberg reported Jan. 5. As of Jan. 6, Flushing and the union had also reached a tentative deal, affecting about 470 nurses, according to a Jan. 6 union news release. Additionally, nurses at Mount Sinai Morningside and West reached a tentative agreement Jan. 8.
As nurses at other hospitals had not reached tentative deals as of Jan. 8, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for binding arbitration, according to hospital and union statements shared with Becker's. Hospitals said they hoped the union would accept the governor's proposal and rescind their strike threat. However, the NYSNA did not do so, and the strike plans proceeded.
"Gov. Hochul should listen to front-line COVID nurse heroes and respect our federally-protected labor and collective bargaining rights," a union statement says. "Nurses don't want to strike. Bosses have pushed us to strike by refusing to seriously consider our proposals to address the desperate crisis of unsafe staffing that harms our patients."
The strike plans come amid negotiations for a new contract. During negotiations, nurses have expressed concerns about staffing levels and contend that hospitals are not doing enough to keep workers at the bedside in terms of issues such as staffing, pay and benefits. Hospitals say they have been negotiating in good faith to reach a fair contract.
In a statement, Mount Sinai expressed disappointment about the union rejecting the governor's request and contends that the union "refused to accept the exact same 19.1 percent increased wage offer agreed to by eight other hospitals, including two other Mount Sinai Health System campuses."
"Our first priority is the safety of our patients," the statement read. "We're prepared to minimize disruption, and we encourage Mount Sinai nurses to continue providing the world-class care they're known for in spite of NYSNA's strike."
Montefiore Medical Center said in a statement: "Despite Montefiore's offer of a 19.1 percent compounded wage increase — the same offer agreed to at the wealthiest of our peer institutions — and a commitment to create over 170 new nursing positions, and despite a call from Gov. Hochul for arbitration, NYSNA's leadership has decided to walk away from the bedsides of their patients. Therefore, at 6 a.m. (Jan. 9), NYSNA nurses will be on strike and off the job. We remain committed to seamless and compassionate care, recognizing that the union leadership’s decision will spark fear and uncertainty across our community."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams released a statement Jan. 8, which said in part that "hospitals in certain areas may experience impacts to operations, including possible delayed or limited service [during a strike]. We encourage all New Yorkers to call 911 only for emergencies and be prepared to seek an alternate facility in case their preferred hospital is impacted."
Tentative agreements reached at Flushing and Richmond must be approved by union members. The union said Maimonides nurses and nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian have approved their deals.