A nurses union in New York City has reached an agreement with two hospitals, ending a three-day strike.
More than more than 7,000 nurses from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) at Montefiore Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC went on strike on Monday, Jan. 9, after contract negotiations fell apart the night before. According to the union, an agreement has been made. NYSNA represents more than 42,000 members in New York state.
“This is a historic victory for New York City nurses and for nurses across the country. NYSNA nurses have done the impossible, saving lives night and day, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and now we’ve again shown that nothing is impossible for nurse heroes,” NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, said in a statement on Jan. 12. “Through our unity and by putting it all on the line, we won enforceable safe staffing ratios at both Montefiore and Mount Sinai where nurses went on strike for patient care. Today, we can return to work with our heads held high, knowing that our victory means safer care for our patients and more sustainable jobs for our profession.”
The nurses at Mount Sinai returned to work at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. According to the union, the agreement includes “wall-to-wall safe staffing ratios for all inpatient units with firm enforcement so that there will always be enough nurses at the bedside to provide safe patient care, not just on paper.” The new staffing ratios in the contract take effect immediately.
“We are pleased that The Mount Sinai Hospital reached a tentative agreement with NYSNA and the strike is over,” Mount Sinai said in a statement. “Our proposed agreement is similar to those between NYSNA and eight other New York City hospitals. It is fair and responsible, and it puts patients first. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul, her staff and elected officials for their leadership and support throughout the negotiation process. To our incredible Mount Sinai team: thank you for your unwavering dedication to world-class patient care.”
Additionally, nurses at Montefiore also won new staffing ratios in the Emergency Department in their agreement with the hospital and also returned to work on Thursday morning. Nurses also won “community health improvements and nurse-student partnerships to recruit local Bronx nurses to stay as union nurses at Montefiore for the long run,” the union said.
The Montefiore agreement includes a 19.1% wage increase, an increase of more than 170 new nursing positions, an increase in preceptor and charge nurse pay of $5 per hour over standard wages, as well as the maintenance of fully-funded healthcare for eligible nurses and lifetime health coverage for eligible retired nurses.
“We came to these bargaining sessions with great respect for our nurses and with proposals that reflect their priorities in terms of wages, benefits, safety and staffing,” said Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine. “We are pleased to offer a 19% wage increase, benefits that match or exceed those of our peer institutions, more than 170 new nursing positions and a generous plan to address recruitment and retention.”
The agreement between the nurses' union and the hospitals was applauded by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) on Thursday.
"Our hospitals are facing extreme nursing shortages, and it is affecting patient care," AOC said in Congress Thursday. "Montefiore alone in my district has had 760 vacancies. But thanks to the tentative agreement and courage and effort of the nurses on the picket line, hospital management is now committing to an aggressive hiring plan and to immediately implement safe staffing ratios… Thank you so much to NYSNA for their work."
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."