NEW YORK (WABC) — The New York City nurses strike entered its fourth day, and negotiations are expected to resume Thursday evening at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
There had been radio silence between the union and the three private hospitals as nurses walked off the job Monday, making this the largest nurses strike in NYC.
For the 15,000 nurses, they hope their demands are met.
Nurses will hit the picket lines again, fighting for increased staffing levels and better pay.
Another key sticking point is more protection from violent patients and visitors.
In the meantime, traveling nurses are on the job to keep operations steady at various hospitals.
Wednesday, striking nurses had their eyes on their replacements at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
They argue those replacements don’t have the right qualifications.
Family and friends of patients, meanwhile, say everything inside the hospital system is running as normal.
“Everything is smooth. They’re taking care of their patients like, they’re doing their jobs up there,” said Juan Espinal, the friend of a patient.
“They’re doing their jobs. It’s cool. It’s clear. Normal. Everything is normal,” another family member said.
As for when a deal will be made, that remains unclear. A mediator will oversee talks with NewYork-Presbyterian.
Hospitals are calling some of the union’s demands reckless and unreasonable.
Nurses say it’s not unreasonable, and they show no signs of leaving the picket line.
Montefiore had criticized the union for “reckless demands” and “troubling proposals,” including one that prevents nurses from being fired, even if they’re found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job.
“NYSNA leadership’s demand that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job is another example of putting their own self-interest before patient safety,” officials said.
But the New York State Nurses Association said Montefiore was “blatantly mischaracterizing” one of its basic workplace proposals, which would have added protections for nurses dealing with substance use disorders and which has already been adopted in other hospitals around the state.
All of the hospitals impacted by the strike have stressed that they will remain open.
Montefiore Einstein released a memo President and CEO Philip Ozuah wrote sent to the staff saying, “Our Montefiore Einstein colleagues have rallied as a team to ensure the continued provision of the highest quality of care for all who seek us out at their most vulnerable. We have not canceled even one patient’s access to care.”
Mount Sinai said “the number of nurses who have put patients first and decided not to strike has grown from 20% percent to 23%.”
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