NEW YORK (AP) — After nearly a monthlong strike, nurses from two major hospital systems in New York City have reached a tentative agreement aimed at improving staffing levels, workplace safety, health insurance, and compensation. The deal, announced on Monday, involves the Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospital systems. Nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian, however, are still striking as negotiations continue.
The strike began on January 12, coinciding with a high-demand flu season, forcing hospitals to hire numerous temporary nurses to manage workloads. Members of the nurses’ union have expressed relief but remain concerned about their colleagues still on strike. For four weeks, nearly 15,000 NYSNA members held the line against unsafe working conditions for safe patient care, stated Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association.
The proposed three-year agreement, which will soon be voted on by union members, encompasses a 12% pay increase and maintains health benefits with no additional out-of-pocket costs. It also introduces new workplace violence protections, particularly focusing on the needs of transgender and immigrant nurses and ensuring safety for all patients.
Despite the agreements made with Montefiore and Mount Sinai, nurses remain out on strike at NewYork-Presbyterian, reflecting unresolved issues regarding staffing and hospital management's demands, which they claim have been excessive. The hospitals counter, suggesting that the salaries of unionized nurses, which average between $162,000 to $165,000 a year, are already exceptional.
This struggle for better conditions is indicative of broader healthcare workforce challenges. Until all nurses have returned, the demand for improved healthcare practices remains paramount as they navigate negotiations and advocate for necessary changes within their institutions.
