Jan. 12 (UPI) — About 15,000 nurses are staging the largest nurses strike in New York City history on Monday after the deadline passed to a new contract between their union and five hospital systems.
Nurses with the New York State Nurses Association are seeking minimum staffing ratios, higher wages and increased security at hospitals.
The strike is affecting five major privately operated hospitals in the city: Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Einstein, and New York-Presbyterian.
The union alleged that these hospitals are prioritizing profits over the care of their patients.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an imminent disaster on Friday as Monday’s deadline for a new deal with the union approached. At 6 a.m. EST, the strike began.
Some hospital officials expect the strike to last weeks.
A spokesperson for Mount Sinai Hospital said they have enlisted 1,400 nurses, including specialty nurses, to work through the strike. Other hospitals have made similar plans to continue providing service.
At least some services are being impacted. Some surgeries have been canceled and some hospitals moved to discharge patients more quickly over the weekend.
Hospitals that are not directly affected by the strike may see some impact as well. The New York Department of Health has advised all other hospitals to prepare for an influx of patients from the affected facilities.