Thousands of nurses in New York City have begun striking at hospitals across Manhattan and the Bronx, with nearly 15,000 workers walking off the job. The strike, which has been weeks in the making, comes as hospitals are facing significant financial losses due to federal cuts to Medicaid and other healthcare funding.
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is leading the protest, demanding better staffing levels, safer working conditions, and increased support for nurses who are often underpaid and overworked. The union has cited recent violent incidents at hospitals as evidence of the need for greater safety measures.
"We're not just fighting for ourselves, we're fighting for our patients," said Donovan Carey, an emergency room nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Harlem. "Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing, not fear."
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on patient care, with many hospitals facing staffing shortages and delays in treatment. The American College of Emergency Physicians has warned that the strike could lead to "inadequate care" for patients.
Despite the challenges, hospital administrators say they are prepared to continue serving the public during the strike. However, officials from Governor Kathy Hochul's office have expressed concerns about the potential impact on patient safety and emergency response times.
"We're working tirelessly to ensure that New Yorkers get high-quality care while nurses are on strike," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who joined striking nurses at a press conference outside Mount Sinai Hospital. "We urge hospital management to bargain in good faith and reach a deal that allows the nurses who work in this city to live in this city."
The strike has also highlighted issues around healthcare funding and staffing standards. The NYSNA argues that hospitals could have used their budgets to meet the union's demands ahead of the planned strike, rather than spending money on strike preparations.
"This is not a negotiating tactic; it's a matter of basic human decency," said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans. "If these hospitals have money to hire scabs, then they've got money and resources to address the needs of these nurses."
The strike is expected to continue for an indefinite period, with hospital administrators warning that it could last weeks or even months.
"It's a domino effect," said Anthony Almojera, a paramedic and lieutenant with FDNY EMS. "If people who are less familiar with that system are in charge, the process could take longer and ambulances could be delayed before responding to the next emergency call."
As the strike enters its second day, patients and healthcare workers alike are holding out hope for a resolution that prioritizes patient safety and fair treatment for all.
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is leading the protest, demanding better staffing levels, safer working conditions, and increased support for nurses who are often underpaid and overworked. The union has cited recent violent incidents at hospitals as evidence of the need for greater safety measures.
"We're not just fighting for ourselves, we're fighting for our patients," said Donovan Carey, an emergency room nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Harlem. "Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing, not fear."
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on patient care, with many hospitals facing staffing shortages and delays in treatment. The American College of Emergency Physicians has warned that the strike could lead to "inadequate care" for patients.
Despite the challenges, hospital administrators say they are prepared to continue serving the public during the strike. However, officials from Governor Kathy Hochul's office have expressed concerns about the potential impact on patient safety and emergency response times.
"We're working tirelessly to ensure that New Yorkers get high-quality care while nurses are on strike," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who joined striking nurses at a press conference outside Mount Sinai Hospital. "We urge hospital management to bargain in good faith and reach a deal that allows the nurses who work in this city to live in this city."
The strike has also highlighted issues around healthcare funding and staffing standards. The NYSNA argues that hospitals could have used their budgets to meet the union's demands ahead of the planned strike, rather than spending money on strike preparations.
"This is not a negotiating tactic; it's a matter of basic human decency," said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans. "If these hospitals have money to hire scabs, then they've got money and resources to address the needs of these nurses."
The strike is expected to continue for an indefinite period, with hospital administrators warning that it could last weeks or even months.
"It's a domino effect," said Anthony Almojera, a paramedic and lieutenant with FDNY EMS. "If people who are less familiar with that system are in charge, the process could take longer and ambulances could be delayed before responding to the next emergency call."
As the strike enters its second day, patients and healthcare workers alike are holding out hope for a resolution that prioritizes patient safety and fair treatment for all.
with nurses strikin across nyc they're fightin for better workin conditions & staffing levels but it's like, hospitals r already strugglin cuz of them federal cuts to medicaid & healthcare funding 
what's the point if u dont have enough staff 2 keep ppl safe? 
i mean, hospitals r supposed 2 be places of healin not fear 
but it feels like they're just tryna cut corners & save a buck. we need 2 rethink our approach 2 healthcare & make sure nurses get treated w/ the respect & fairness they deserve 
. Like, I get it, nurses deserve better wages & working conditions, but 15k+ striking at once is crazy 
. Hospitals are gonna struggle to keep up with patient care, especially in the ER where it's most critical 
. I feel for Donovan Carey's words - hospitals should be places of healing, not fear 
.
. It's a domino effect as Anthony Almojera said - one thing can cause another, and we gotta watch it closely 
.
. We need nurses to get paid fairly for their hard work & put patient safety first 
. It feels like there's a bigger issue here with the funding and staffing standards, but no one wants to talk about it 
. Maybe hospitals should be using some of their funds to address these problems instead of trying to hire scabs? 
.
️. And what's up with the scab hiring? It's just not right, you know? The NYSNA has been saying this for ages – we need better staffing levels, safer conditions, and more support for our nurses. It's not too much to ask, is it? 
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something gets done soon so these amazing women can go back to doing what they love – taking care of patients 
.
I feel so bad for those nurses strikin in New York City. They're doin their job with heart and soul but still not gettin the respect or fair pay they deserve. Hospitals r supposed to be places of healin but it sounds like some of 'em are more like places of stress. 
The fact that there's violent incidents happenin on the job makes it even more alarmin. I hope the union gets what they're askin for and hospitals start takin care of their staff so they can focus on helpin people. Patients r countin on 'em! 
. I hope they can work something out, 'cause I don't want anyone getting hurt on either side of this strike...we need good healthcare, period! 
. And let's not even get started on how healthcare funding is all messed up... it's just not fair to the nurses who are working their butts off and barely getting paid 
. The fact that hospitals are making money off patients but not giving them the care they deserve is just crazy 