Mayor Mamdani, Sen. Sanders join striking NYC nurses on picket line

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Senator Bernie Sanders joined thousands of striking NYC nurses on the picket line, marking their ninth day of protest. The visit by the mayor and senator was meant to show solidarity with the nurses, who are demanding safer working conditions, fair contracts, and dignity.

The strike has highlighted a significant divide between the nurses' union and hospital administrators, with both sides far apart on key issues such as staffing levels and health benefits. Despite renewed contract talks between the unions and hospitals in recent days, officials said little progress had been made.

As the strike entered its second week, tensions remained high among picketers, who were braving subzero temperatures to stand out for better pay and working conditions. Nurses, many of whom had spent days on the picket line, chanted slogans such as "One day longer, one day stronger!" in a show of determination.

Meanwhile, hospital executives have hired temporary workers to fill the gaps left by striking nurses, which some critics say is a cynical attempt to sidestep the unions' demands. Senator Sanders called out this move, saying that it was an example of the healthcare industry's "greed" and asserting that "the people are sick and tired of it".

Hospital administrators have pushed back, saying that nurses' demands were unreasonable and would strain their bottom lines as they face federal health care cuts in the coming years. However, many picketers remained undeterred, arguing that they would continue to fight for better pay, staffing levels, and working conditions.

"It's cold and we're still out here," said Eleanor McIntyre, a nurse on the picket line. "We're fighting for our patients, so we'll hold out as long as we need to."

The standoff between nurses and hospital administrators continues, with neither side showing signs of giving in. A spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian confirmed that the hospital system is working with a mediator to schedule the next bargaining session, but a date has yet to be announced.

As the situation remains unresolved, thousands of striking nurses will continue to stand out on the picket line, determined to secure better pay and working conditions for themselves and their patients.
 
I don’t usually comment but I have to say that 9 days is a pretty long time to be standing outside in subzero temps 🥶... those nurses are crazy strong 💪. I feel for them, though - they're literally fighting for better pay and working conditions for their patients and themselves. It's not like they're asking for the moon or anything 🌕. The fact that hospital admins are trying to hire temp workers just to circumvent the unions is super shady 🤥... but at the same time, I can see why nurses would be worried about staffing levels and health benefits 🤝. The thing is, healthcare costs are already through the roof 💸, so it's not like hospitals have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to negotiating contracts 📈.
 
Ugh, this is just another example of how the system is rigged against us... I mean, I'm not saying the nurses are asking for too much, but come on, hospital administrators are basically trying to strong-arm them into taking less pay and better conditions. And now they're bringing in temps to replace the striking nurses? It's like they're just trying to wear 'em down with sheer numbers... The senator's right though, it is all about greed - hospitals want to cut costs, but that means sacrificing the care patients get. Meanwhile, the nurses are literally freezing their bums off for a cause they believe in...
 
⚒️ "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr. 💪
 
Ugh I just got back from a trip to LA and OMG have you tried that new avocado toast at the Grand Central Market 🥑?! Anyway back to NYC, I feel bad for those nurses freezing out there on the picket line, literally shivering in subzero temps 😩. It's crazy how hospital admins are trying to sidestep their demands by hiring temp workers...I mean, I get it they don't want to give in, but come on be reasonable! 🤔 Meanwhile, I was talking to my friend who works at a small startup and we were both complaining about the new taxes that just went into effect 📊. Anyway, gotta say those nurses are making some valid points, better pay and working conditions for healthcare workers is a must 💯.
 
🚑💉 I'm literally shaking my head over this NYC nurse strike situation... those hospital admins think they can just bring in temps to fill the gaps without addressing the nurses' demands? 🤦‍♀️ It's all about greed, imo 💸. Meanwhile, these nurses are out there braving subzero temps and freezing their butts off for better pay and working conditions... it's not even a fair fight 😩.

I feel so bad for the patients who have to deal with this instability in the healthcare system 🤕. And let's be real, if hospitals can't afford to meet the nurses' demands now when they know the federal health care cuts are coming soon, what's going to happen then? ⚠️

Nurses deserve so much better than to be treated like they're not worthy of respect or fair compensation 🙏. The solidarity shown by Mayor Zohran and Senator Bernie is exactly what these nurses need 💪. I'm all for the strike till something changes, but it's a tough ask... will we see some progress soon? 🤞
 
aww man i can feel the frustration & determination from those nurses 🤕💪 they're literally fighting for what's right for them & their patients but it's sad to see how far apart they are with hospital administrators 💔🚑 temp workers hired to fill gaps = not cool 😒 & it's like senator sander said, greed is real... can't we just get better pay & working conditions without having to resort to this drama? 🤷‍♀️ meanwhile i'm just sending love & support to those on the picket line 👫💕
 
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