The strike affects more than 7,000 nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, the New York State Nurses Association said in a statement.
“These nurses are dedicated professionals who provide quality care to patients in unimaginable conditions,” said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO. “The treatment hospitals are giving these nurses is proof that all their words of flattery for their healthcare heroes during the pandemic were hollow.”
Hospitals said in separate filings on Monday that they were offering a 19.1 percent compound pay increase to nurses. Centro Medico Montefiore also said it is committed to creating more than 170 new nursing positions.
“We remain committed to providing ongoing, compassionate care, recognizing that the union leadership’s decision will bring fear and uncertainty to our community,” Montefiore Medical Center said.
Montefiore said the strike forced him to reschedule all surgeries and elective procedures and postpone appointments at outpatient centers. Sinai said most of his outpatient appointments and procedures are going as planned.
Since contract negotiations began four months ago, the union has managed to reach deals or new contracts for nurses at seven other New York City hospitals.
On Sunday, nurses at Mount Sinai Morningside and West hospitals reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that includes improved staffing and enforcement standards, as well as salary increases over the next three years, the union said.
The union has urged sick people to seek treatment, regardless of potential concerns about striking nurses crossing the pickets.
New York Mayor Eric Adams said Sunday that he and his team are monitoring the situation closely and that the city’s health care system is ready for any challenges that may arise from the work stoppage.
