NEW YORK (WABC) — Thousands of nurses across New York City are set to go on strike on Monday if no agreement is reached amid ongoing contract negotiations.
Over 16,000 nurses could walk off the job and hit the picket line if a deal is not reached by midnight on Sunday. If this happens, it would be considered the largest nurses strike in city history.
The union, which is called the New York State Nurses Association, is still in talks with private hospitals. Their contract expired on December 31.
The unions says it wants higher pay and safer working conditions for its members.
Last Thursday night, medical staff at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital were confronted with an armed patient holding people hostage. Police ultimately shot and killed the suspect.
Lindsay Tuchman reports that the man was armed with a piece of toilet seat.
The hospital locations being impacted by the looming strike include Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Hospital and New York Presbyterian Hospital.
New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans says it could be the worst possible timing for a strike with a high number of flu hospitalizations across the state.
“These wealthy hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who put their own health on the line to care for New Yorkers during this historic flu surge,” Hagans said.
For nurse practitioner Dania Munoz, safety is a priority when it comes to the job.
“Violence is on the rise in our institutions and in our units. Nurses at the bedside, and not just nurses, doctors as well. Techs are getting hurt by patients,” Munoz said.
“We are strike ready on Monday, but we don’t want to be there. We need fair contracts now, because I know people are going to suffer, and that is not what we want. What we need is the protection and safety to do our jobs.”
Regardless of the strike, all hospitals stressed that they will remain open.
Representatives for Mount Sinai are speaking out Sunday morning, releasing a statement reading in part: “We are prepared for a strike that could last an indefinite amount of time and have taken every step to best support our patients and employees in the event NYSNA forces our nurses to walk away from the bedside for the second time in three years.”
Meanwhile, all three Northwell hospitals on Long Island have already reached an agreement to avert a strike. Back in New York City, contract negotiations continue as the clock ticks towards the midnight deadline.
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