The ongoing strike by nurses in New York City has seen a significant development as an agreement has been reached regarding the maintenance of health care benefits. According to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the deal addresses one of the key points of contention during negotiations with major hospitals, including Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, and NewYork-Presbyterian.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NYSNA noted that the agreement represents a “major hurdle” cleared in their negotiations. The hospitals have committed to preserving the current high-quality NYSNA Plan A health coverage for nurses and their families without any cuts. While this agreement is a step forward, both parties still need to finalize tentative contract agreements. NYSNA expressed readiness to continue negotiations on other critical issues, emphasizing the importance of bargaining in good faith.
Despite this progress, the strike involving approximately 15,000 nurses continues. The nurses’ demands extend beyond health benefits, as they are also seeking improved pay, increased staffing levels, and enhanced protections against workplace violence. The hospitals have previously characterized these demands as unreasonable.
On Thursday, the nurses returned to the bargaining table, but negotiations remained unresolved as of the 11th day of the strike. NYSNA has made it clear that the strike will persist until comprehensive agreements are achieved that ensure both patient and nurse safety. Picketing activities are expected to resume on Tuesday, following a significant snowstorm that affected the city over the weekend.
As the situation evolves, further updates from both the hospitals and the nurses’ union are anticipated. The outcome of these negotiations will have lasting implications for healthcare workers and the broader healthcare system in New York City.