NYC Nurses Postpone Strike Due To 'Breakthrough' In Negotiations

NEW YORK, NY — A union representing more than 10,000 nurses has postponed a strike at three of New York City's major hospital systems following a "breakthrough" in negotiations with hospital executives.

Union leaders from the New York State Nurses Association held a rally earlier this month to announce an intention to strike on April 2. The union claims there is a nursing staffing crisis at city hospitals that leads to unsafe conditions for patients by placing too great a burden on caretakers.

The contract between nurses and Mt. Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore hospitals expire last year, but an agreement was made to extend the old contract while negotiating a new one. Union representatives said during their rally this month that hospital executives seemed unwilling to budge on staffing levels during more than 30 previous negotiation sessions.

With the aid of a neutral mediator the two sides were able to make progress last week, resulting in the postponement of the strike. Hospital executives and union representatives are set to meet again on Wednesday, March 27.

Union representatives credited the union member's unity in reaching the breakthrough.

"Thanks to you, our unity and strength forced management to make the following opening proposal with a proviso that we postpone our strike notice to give them more time. They chose not to fund the replacement staffing agencies and instead committed to putting that money toward additional staffing that will be reflected in our contract," a New York State Nurses Association press release reads.

The nurses were also backed by politicians such as New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who pledged the full support of the council.

Legislation is currently being considered by the State Assembly and State Senate that would set mandatory nurse to patient ratios at hospitals in New York state. The legislation, known as the "Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act" would allow no more than six patients per nurse in certain areas of the hospital and require stricter ratios such as one patient per nurse in areas such as operating rooms and trauma emergency facilities.

Read Patch's previous coverage here.