97% of Nurses at Twelve NYC Hospitals Vote to Authorize Strike to Protect Patient Care
On Monday, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses announce the outcome of strike authorization votes that took place at 12 New York City private sector hospitals whose contracts expire on Dec. 31, 2025. This vote gives their bargaining committees the authority to call a strike if a contract that protects safe patient care is not settled by the end of the year.
Amid federal attacks on healthcare, New York City nurses are demanding that hospitals do their part to protect safe patient care. That means agreeing to a fair contract that ensures enforceable safe staffing, enough staff and healthcare services for our communities, protections for vulnerable patients targeted by the Trump administration, health and safety and workplace violence protections, safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and fair wages and benefits to recruit and retain nurses.
Instead of agreeing to fair contracts that protect safe patient care, hospitals have responded to nurses’ demands with avoidance and delays. Employers have yet to make serious economic counterproposals, and some have proposed givebacks that would harm nurses’ ability to deliver safe patient care and would make it harder to hold hospitals accountable for maintaining safe staffing levels. Employers have refused to guarantee healthcare benefits for nurses, seriously jeopardizing healthcare for the healthcare providers of New York City.
Some hospitals have retaliated against nurses speaking out for a fair contract and improved working conditions. After an active shooter event brought safety issues at Mount Sinai into the public eye, Mount Sinai disciplined three outspoken nurses and has yet to rescind these disciplines or agree to concrete safety proposals despite weekly actions and vigils.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said, “We became nurses because we care about our patients deeply and do not take striking lightly. It is always a last resort. But it’s shameful that instead of trying to protect care and settle a fair contract, hospitals are dragging their feet and making proposals that would seriously erode care in this city. They should be trying to work with frontline nurses right now, not fighting against us. It’s shameful that they would try to hold healthcare coverage hostage for the nurses who care for this city’s communities.” Read more here, in amNY, and the Brooklyn Eagle!