On Monday, thousands of nurses from two of the largest hospitals in New York City, walked off the job and took to the picket lines to strike after failed negotiations. Nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital in Harlem and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, are seeking to negotiate higher pay and better working conditions.
Pandemic- induced staffing shortages have long been a source of overwhelm for nurses who at times are caring for up to ten or more patients. This nurse to patient ratio is extremely unsafe for patients, as nurses are unable to administer timely care. Not to mention, it leaves the nurses mentally and physically burned out. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the labor union representing the nurses, want more nurses hired, fewer patients assigned to each nurse, and assurance that they will not be asked to take on more than they can handle.
As of Tuesday, talks were still ongoing, but an agreement has yet to be reached. Since the strike, several changes have been implemented regarding patient care. For example, some elective surgeries were cancelled in advance of the strike. Patients well enough to go home were discharged early. Ambulances have also been diverted to other local hospitals.
Only time will tell what will become of this as the strike enters day three.
Do you agree with the nurses strike? Nurses, what would be an ideal contract going forward? Given this situation, do you think other hospital employees will follow suite? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment!
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