NYC nurses strike set to end at 2 of 3 hospital systems after union reaches tentative agreement
After nearly a month of picketing, a tentative agreement may be within reach to end the longest and largest nurses strike in New York City history. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has announced tentative contract agreements with Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, and Montefiore Einstein hospitals. However, negotiations with NewYork-Presbyterian remain ongoing.
The Core of the Dispute
The central issue driving the strike, according to NewYork-Presbyterian nurse Patrick Klein, is “safe staffing for our patients” and ensuring “protections for our nurses.” While NewYork-Presbyterian stated it has accepted a proposal including wage increases, pension preservation, health benefit maintenance, and increased staffing levels, a final agreement with the union has not yet been reached.
What the Tentative Agreements Include
The tentative agreements reached with Mount Sinai and Montefiore encompass several key areas. These include maintaining nurse staffing levels, protecting health benefits, safeguarding against the use of artificial intelligence, and increasing nurses’ salaries by over 12% over the three-year contract’s duration. The agreements address protections from workplace violence, with provisions for metal detectors, panic buttons, and rapid response teams.
Mount Sinai’s CEO acknowledged the difficulty of the process, stating a commitment to “heal the organization together.” No statement has yet been released by Montefiore regarding the tentative agreement.
Union Leadership Praises Progress
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans emphasized the nurses’ resilience, stating that they “held the line in the cold and in the snow for safe patient care” and are “heading back to the bedside with our heads held high.” NYSNA Executive Director Pat Kane added that the nurses’ actions “galvanized a movement for worker and healthcare justice that reached beyond New York City.”
A History of Recent Action
The current strike began on January 12th, following failed contract negotiations concerning pay raises, healthcare coverage, safe staffing, and protection from workplace violence. Prior to this, NYSNA reached an agreement to maintain healthcare benefits with Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian on January 25th, but the strike continued as other issues remained unresolved. Hospitals responded by bringing in temporary travel nurses to maintain patient care.
The strike garnered support from public figures including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who both joined nurses on the picket lines. Governor Kathy Hochul also urged both sides to resume negotiations. A similar strike involving roughly 7,000 nurses occurred in the city in 2023, concluding after three days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the next steps?
The union is scheduled to hold a ratification vote on the agreements with Mount Sinai and Montefiore this week. If approved, nurses at those hospitals are expected to return to work on Saturday.
Is an agreement with NewYork-Presbyterian expected soon?
NewYork-Presbyterian has accepted a proposal, but sources indicate the union has not yet reached an agreement with the hospital. The sticking point remains safe staffing and protections for nurses.
What protections against workplace violence are included in the tentative agreements?
The agreements include provisions for metal detectors, panic buttons, and the activation of a dedicated team in response to security incidents.
As the ratification vote approaches, the potential end of this month-long strike raises questions about the future of nurse staffing and workplace safety standards in New York City hospitals.