NYC nurses enter fourth week of strike, plan march to governor's office
Nearly 15,000 nurses from three major hospital systems continue their walkout, the largest in city history, as negotiations proceed without agreement.
50 min ago
New York City nurses marked the fourth week of their strike Monday, with nearly 15,000 nurses from Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore continuing their picket lines. The walkout, which began January 12, has grown into the largest nurses strike in New York City history.
Nurses planned to march Monday morning from Grand Central Terminal to Governor Kathy Hochul's Midtown office to urge the state to pressure hospital executives toward a settlement. The demonstration aimed to escalate pressure on leadership as contract negotiations between the New York State Nurse Association and hospital representatives continued without a deal.
Both the union and hospital systems reported some progress in negotiations. The New York State Nurse Association said Saturday it had streamlined and revised its proposals "in an effort to bring hospital executives back to the table to negotiate in good faith and settle fair contracts as quickly as possible that get nurses back to work to care for New York City."
The three hospital systems issued a joint statement indicating movement on their side as well. "We made a fair, reasonable, and responsible economic proposal that provides annual wage increases and continues generous healthcare" benefits, according to the statement, though details of the full proposal were not disclosed.
The strike centers on several key demands from nurses. They are pushing for protections against workplace violence, safe staffing ratios, and improved health care benefits. Union and hospital officials were scheduled to meet Monday to continue negotiations aimed at resolving the 22-day standoff.