NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in New York City initiated a strike on Monday morning after negotiations regarding their contracts halted without resolution.
The walkout began at 6 a.m. at The Mount Sinai Hospital along with its satellite campuses, and similarly impacted NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Altogether, about 15,000 nurses from these facilities are participating in the strike.
This strike arises during a particularly severe flu season, leading to potential patient transfer needs, appointment cancellations, and increased pressure on hospitals outside of the direct strike area as patients may seek care elsewhere.
In efforts to alleviate staffing shortages during the strike, affected hospitals have recruited temporary nurses; however, they have indicated their commitment to minimizing disruptions to patient care.
Nurses' demands include crucial issues such as manageable staffing levels and enhanced workplace safety, citing concerns over the workloads they currently face. Additionally, the union calls for stricter security measures in hospitals, responding to recent alarming incidents.
New York's Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have both voiced their concerns over the strike's implications for public health, urging a swift resolution to maintain health service continuity.
The last major nurses' strike in New York City occurred in 2023 and resulted in pay rises and promises of staffing improvements, though contentious discussions remain about whether those promises were fulfilled.
