Nearly 15,000 nurses go on strike at major New York City hospitals. Zohran Mamdani reacts
US’ local media reported it to be one of the largest nurses strikes in New York City’s history which was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses.
Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York. (AP Photo)
Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems across New York City went on strike on Monday after no agreement was reached through the weekend ahead of the deadline to secure breakthroughs in their contract disputes.
US local media reported it to be one of the largest nurses strikes in New York City’s history that was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses.
Picket lines were seen being formed outside the hospital campus, AP reported. The other hospitals affected by the nurses strike are New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York. (AP Photo)
What’s behind one of largest nurses strike in NYC history?
According to the New York State Nurses Association, nearly 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike. The union has said that nurses want higher pay and safer working conditions for its members. Their contract expired on December 31, ABC News reported.
The safety and wellbeing of this city is my top priority and ensuring New Yorkers have the care they need is critical, especially during flu season.
The city's Emergency Management team, FDNY, health department, public hospital system, and my senior leadership team are in…
The strike by nurses comes during the flu season and it could force hospitals to potentially transfer patients, cancel procedures and redirect ambulances. The strike is poised to put a strain on other hospitals in the city which are not involved in the contract dispute, as patients would divert to hospitals not hit by the strike.
Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York. (AP Photo)
Zohran Mamdani issues statement
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement on the ongoing nurses protests and said, “No New Yorker should have to fear losing access to health care — and no nurse should be asked to accept less pay, fewer benefits or less dignity for doing lifesaving work. Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable.”
The hospitals affected by the strikes have been hiring temporary nurses to fill the gap. The hospitals, during the negotiations, said in a statement that they “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and said that a strike “could jeopardize the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and patients.”
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Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York. (AP Photo) 
