Nearly 15,000 nurses walked off their jobs at five major New York City hospitals Monday morning, launching what has become the largest nurses strike in the city’s history after negotiators failed to reach agreement on a new contract by the deadline.
The New York State Nurses Association announced that nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, and NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan, along with Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx, began picketing early Monday. Nurses at Mount Sinai facilities commenced their strike at 6 a.m., with those at the remaining hospitals joining the picket lines an hour later.
The strike represents a significant disruption to healthcare services in the nation’s largest city, affecting five privately-run hospitals that serve thousands of patients daily. Montefiore has indicated it is preparing for the work stoppage to last multiple weeks, suggesting little optimism for a swift resolution.
Hospital administrators have expressed frustration with the union’s position. A Mount Sinai spokesperson stated that the nurses association moved forward with the strike while maintaining what the hospital characterized as extreme economic demands. The hospital reported having 1,400 qualified and specialized nurses ready to maintain patient care throughout the strike’s duration.
NewYork-Presbyterian issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to patient care despite the work stoppage, noting that the strike was designed to create disruption. The hospital maintained it remains prepared to negotiate what it termed a fair and reasonable contract that acknowledges both the critical role nurses play and the challenging realities facing today’s healthcare environment.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the strike, citing concerns about potential threats to critical care for thousands of city patients. The governor has urged both sides to remain at the negotiating table and reach an agreement expeditiously.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared alongside picketers outside NewYork-Presbyterian in Washington Heights, delivering remarks in support of the striking nurses. Mamdani emphasized that nurses had shown up to work during every dark period in the city’s history, asserting that their value is not negotiable and their worth is not subject to debate.
The mayor stated that the city is working to ensure continuity of care through coordination among the fire department, emergency management, the public health system, and senior leadership. Mamdani called on both sides to bargain in good faith and arrive at a deal that would allow nurses who work in the city to afford living in the city.
Both sides engaged in negotiations throughout the weekend but were unable to bridge their differences before the Monday deadline. The nurses association has accused the three hospital systems of prioritizing profits over safe patient care, a charge the hospitals have disputed while pointing to the economic pressures facing healthcare institutions.
The strike poses significant questions about the balance between healthcare worker compensation and the financial sustainability of major medical centers in an era of rising costs and complex reimbursement structures. As the work stoppage continues, attention will focus on whether negotiators can find common ground that addresses nurses’ concerns while maintaining the hospitals’ operational viability.
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