In brief
Nurses from the New York State Nurses Association are engaging in contract negotiations with Mount Sinai hospitals after five days of striking over staffing issues. The union reports that previous negotiations yielded little progress and that there are ongoing discussions with other major hospital systems, including NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore. Hospital representatives describe some proposals as unreasonable, while nurses insist on the need for improvements in staffing levels. Temporary nurses have been hired to maintain operations during the strike.
NEW YORK (AP) — Nurses in New York City have resumed contract negotiations with major hospital systems amid an ongoing strike that has now entered its fifth day. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) announced on Friday that their bargaining team met with representatives from Mount Sinai hospitals at the suggestion of a mediator.
Earlier, NYSNA had engaged in its first talks with NewYork-Presbyterian officials and a federal mediator since approximately 15,000 nurses walked off the job to demand better staffing ratios and pay. However, both sides have reported that the lengthy discussions yielded minimal progress in resolving the strike.
In a statement, NewYork-Presbyterian acknowledged that discussions focused mainly on staffing concerns, but they labeled the union's proposals as “unreasonable.” Moreover, the hospital noted that they remain committed to providing safe staffing levels, claiming they have the best ratios in the city.
The union has stated that they offered revised proposals during negotiations, which were flatly rejected by hospital officials who did not present counter offers. Discussions included about 70 nurses who were allowed to observe once the proceedings extended past midnight.
At present, there are no further scheduled meetings, with NewYork-Presbyterian confirming their adherence to bargaining in good faith while emphasizing their staffing commitments.
Union officials revealed that negotiations with Montefiore, another large hospital system affected by the strike, have not yet resumed despite previous indications they would move forward. Union president Nancy Hagans expressed readiness to collaborate with mediators and urged hospital executives to reciprocate.
While negotiations continue at Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian, hospital operations remain largely unaffected due to the hiring of thousands of temporary nurses who have been managing emergency rooms and other vital services. Dr. Philip Ozuah, president of Montefiore Einstein, commended staff for their effort in maintaining essential services during the strike.
