Tensions escalated in New York City on Monday (12th January) as over 15,000 nurses went on strike at three major hospital systems. They demanded better staffing, benefits, and fair treatment. The walkout comes after weekend negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

Nurses picketed outside NewYork-Presbyterian in Upper Manhattan, Mount Sinai, and Montefiore hospitals, chanting for fair contracts and safer workplaces. Many cite unresolved frustrations from a 2023 strike, which improved staffing and pay but left lingering concerns.

Emergency department nurse Tristan Castillo said, “They don’t want to give us a fair contract or safe staffing, and they’re trying to roll back our benefits.”

The strike affects private, nonprofit hospitals, not city-run ones. Hospitals have brought in temporary staff to keep operations running. However, patient care could still face disruptions, including possible procedure cancellations and ambulance diversions.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who campaigned on a pro-worker platform, visited picket lines to support the nurses. He called for dignity, respect, and fair pay. Other local and state officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, urged both sides to reach a deal while continuing to monitor patient care.

Staffing is the central demand. Nurses report unmanageable workloads and are also asking for better workplace security and limits on hospitals’ use of AI. Hospitals say they’ve made improvements over recent years and describe the union’s demands as costly.

Montefiore said the union’s proposals could cost $3.6 billion. This would raise average nurse salaries from around Rs 1.65 lakh (approx. $165,000) to $2.2 lakh (approx. $220,000) in three years. Mount Sinai said average pay could reach $275,000.

Each hospital negotiates independently. Temporary nurses have been deployed, and some nearby hospitals reached last-minute deals to avoid strikes. In 2023, a similar three-day strike resulted in a 19% pay hike and staffing improvements. Nonetheless, disagreements remain over progress and benefit reductions.

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