Over 7,000 Nurses Walk Off Job in NYC
NEW YORK — More than 7,000 nurses at Mount Sinai Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center walked off the job this morning after talks to avert a strike fell apart overnight.
The nurses are seeking better wages and working conditions.
“Despite Montefiore’s offer of a 19.1% compounded wage increase — the same offer agreed to at the wealthiest of our peer institutions — and a commitment to create over 170 new nursing positions, and despite a call from Gov. Hochul for arbitration, NYSNA’s leadership has decided to walk away from the bedsides of their patients,” Montefiore Medical Center said in a written statement.
“We remain committed to seamless and compassionate care, recognizing that the union leadership’s decision will spark fear and uncertainty across our community. This is a sad day for New York City,” the hospital said.
Hospital officials and union leaders said the talks collapsed at about 1 a.m. Monday morning.
Mount Sinai administrators said in a statement that their first priority at this time “is the safety of our patients.”
“We’re prepared to minimize disruption, and we encourage Mount Sinai nurses to continue providing the world-class care they’re known for,” the statement said.
In a statement of its own, the New York State Nurses Association, which represents about 42,000 nurses across New York state, said patients who are sick should not delay getting medical care, “regardless of whether we are on strike.”
“Patients should seek hospital care immediately if they need it. We would rather be the ones providing that care, but our bosses have pushed us to be out here instead. We appreciate solidarity from our patients — but going into the hospital to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line,” the nurses said.
“In fact, we invite you to come join us on the strike line after you’ve gotten the care you need. We are out here so we can provide better patient care to you,” they added.
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