7K NYC Nurses Go On Strike After Contract Talks Fail

NEW YORK CITY — More than 7,000 nurses in two New York City hospital systems went on strike Monday amid a long-standing push to fix dangerously short staffing.

The walk out came after a weekend of failed contract negotiations with Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital, officials with the New York State Nurses Association said.

Other hospital systems in recent weeks and days had struck tentative agreements with the nurses' union that averted a wider strike.

But the strike still prompted Mayor Eric Adams to take steps — including potentially rerouting ambulances and activating a situations — in case of problems.

“Again, while New York City is prepared for a potential strike, we are hopeful that all parties keep working to reach a voluntary agreement," Adams said in a statement.

Nurses and their supporters Monday planned to picket three Montefiore hospitals and Mount Sinai Hospital.

And that doesn't mean that New Yorkers in need of medical care should avoid those hospitals, leaders with the New York State Nurses Association said.

"To all of our patients, to all New Yorkers, we want to be absolutely clear: If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care, regardless of whether we are on strike," the union tweeted. "In fact, we invite you to come join us on the strike line after you've gotten the care you need."

To all of our patients, to all New Yorkers, we want to be absolutely clear: If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care, regardless of whether we are on strike. In fact, we invite you to come join us on the strike line after you've gotten the care you need. pic.twitter.com/019D03aalS
— NYSNA (@nynurses) January 9, 2023

The strike stems from nurses' growing alarms about dangerously low staffing levels in hospitals that they argue leaves patients at risk.

But talks with many New York City hospitals failed to gain traction to the point that the union threatened a strike.

Going into the weekend, five hospital systems face walk outs by the strike deadline Monday. Deals were ultimately struck by all except Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, after negotiations failed, called for binding arbitration so the parties could reach a swift resolution.

"The New York State Department of Health will continue to enforce staffing requirements under the law at these hospitals to maintain the delivery of essential health care services to the community and protect patient health and safety," she said in a statement. "Likewise, the Health Department will continue to ensure that all providers are meeting the requirements of the law."