Home / Health / NYC Nurses Threaten Strike Over Contract Disputes
NYC Nurses Threaten Strike Over Contract Disputes
7 Jan
Summary
- 17,000 nurses across eight hospitals may strike soon.
- Nurses demand better patient care, wages, and security.
- Hospital administrators cite union's extreme economic proposals.
Nurses across New York City and Long Island are preparing for a potential strike, with around 17,000 members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) poised to picket as early as next Monday. A 10-day strike notice was served to 15 hospitals, though nurses at seven facilities have since rescinded it, hoping for a last-minute agreement.
Darla Joiner, a nurse at Mount Sinai, expressed frustration, stating that significant issues regarding patient care, wages, and hospital security remain unresolved. She highlighted concerns that employers might retract recent gains, such as employer-paid health insurance, which was only secured three years ago.
Mount Sinai, in response, accused the union of proposing "extreme economic proposals" that could destabilize hospitals financially, citing an average nurse salary increase to $272,000 annually. Union leadership refutes these claims, emphasizing that their demands encompass broader benefits like pensions and taxes, not just base salary. Despite the tension, there is hope for a fair resolution before the deadline.
