As the U.S. sees one of the worst flu seasons in years, nurses in New York City have gone on strike. More than 15,000 nurses across three hospitals have taken to the picket line, demanding safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses and workplace violence protections.

The strike affects Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, as well as New York-Presbyterian/Columbia and Montefiore Medical Center.

Specifics of the strike

While the nurses are from various hospitals, they are all part of the same union, the New York State Nurses Association. The union has been bargaining with hospitals for months in separate negotiations, but all failed to reach a contract agreement over the weekend.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but major issues center on staffing levels and workplace safety. According to The Associated Press, the union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

A spokesperson for Montefiore called the demands “reckless,” saying the union’s leaders “continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job.”

Meanwhile, New York-Presbyterian accused the union of using the strike to “create disruption.”

Nurses at Mount Sinai and Montefiore went on strike for three days in 2023, resulting in a deal that raised pay by 19% over three years.

Strike amid flu season

The strike comes as nearly every state in the U.S. reports “high” or “very high” influenza activity. The Associated Press reports that the strike could further strain New York City and its hospitals.

Hospitals involved in the strike are hiring temporary nurses, but staffing issues could still lead to patient transfers, procedure cancellations or ambulance diversions. Statements from the hospitals say officials are doing all they can to avoid disruptions.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last,” Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese told The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, the flu season has dubbed the latest virus the “super flu,” with experts saying that this season could continue to get worse. More than 128,000 New Yorkers have tested positive for the flu, and one recent week saw the greatest number of cases since 2005.

What officials are saying

Before the strike, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed concerns regarding a potential strike. Most recently, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal.

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments,” Mamdani said. “Their value is not negotiable.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support.

“Nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy,” James said. “They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

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