NYSNA Nurses Resume Bargaining in Week Two of Historic Strike
15,000 nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian are in their second week on strike in the largest such action in NYC history. They've been forced out because management is threatening to cut healthcare for frontline nurses, refusing to agree to workplace violence protections, despite two recent incidents of violence at New York City hospitals, and trying to undo safe staffing standards that nurses won for New Yorkers when they went on strike 3 years ago.
Nurses at each of the hospitals resumed bargaining on Thursday, and plan on bargaining daily to settle fair contracts that protect patient and nurse safety. Nurses will continue to picket and strike until tentative agreements are reached with the hospitals.
On Wednesday night, nurses, former patients and family members spoke out at candlelight vigil at NewYork-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital of New York (CHONY). Several mothers of children who had been hospitalized at CHONY gave powerful testimony of the excellent care and emotional support NYSNA nurses gave them through some of the most difficult times for their families.
Earlier this week, Senator Bernie Sanders and Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined nurses on the picket line, demanding an end to hospital greed and respect for the nurses who care for this city. Last weekend, in the spirit of Dr. King, nurses held a series of nonviolent direct actions and on Monday gathered with Rev. Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders for a speak-out at Mount Sinai Morningside. Nurses have also held free community health screenings and celebrated with family activities, giving back to the community that has shown so much heartening solidarity since the strike began on Jan. 12.
NYC's unions have also been hitting the sidewalks to stand shoulder to shoulder with these brave nurses. If you can take some time to walk a picket line with the nurses, that solidarity will go a long way toward helping settle this contract for the nurses and the communities they serve! Strike lines are up and running up at locations in the Bronx and Manhattan between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, and the busiest times are 11AM-1PM. (Note that for the weekend of Jan. 24, picket lines will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Picket lines will be closed on Sunday, Jan. 25.) You can also click here to find other ways to help!
It’s time for hospital management to recognize the power of working people standing together, to listen to their nurses, and commit to fair contracts for our communities without further delay. Schedules may change so make sure to follow the nurses on Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on picket lines and locations, and we'll see you out there!