97% of NYC Private Sector Nurses Vote to Authorize Strike
On Monday, Dec. 22, NYSNA nurses held a press conference to announce the results of strike authorization votes at all twelve of our bargaining NYC private sector hospitals. 97% of NYSNA’s private sector nurses voted in favor of authorizing bargaining committees to call for a strike if management refuses to settle fair contracts by the Dec. 31 deadline. Check out the live stream of the press conference and photos on the NYSNA Facebook page.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, BSN, RN, CCRN emceed the press conference, and was joined by representatives from all twelve private sector hospitals. Nurses spoke passionately about the key issues during bargaining that led to the strike authorization, including safe staffing ratios and a real plan to recruit and retain enough nurses to care for all New Yorkers. Nurses also reiterated their commitment to doing whatever it takes to protect safe, quality patient care in New York City—and that includes going on strike.
Speaking during the press conference, Pres. Hagans said, “We became nurses because we care about our patients deeply and do not take striking lightly. It is always a last resort. But it’s shameful that instead of trying to protect care and settle a fair contract, hospitals are dragging their feet and making proposals that would seriously erode care in this city. They should be trying to work with frontline nurses right now, not fighting against us. It’s shameful that they would try to hold healthcare coverage hostage for the nurses who care for this city’s communities.”
The strike authorization vote announcement was covered by News 12, the Brooklyn Eagle, and Spectrum.
Elected Officials Show Support for Private Sector Nurses
The press conference comes amidst an outpouring of support from elected officials. On Thursday, Dec. 18, 100+ New York City and state elected leaders, including Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, signed a letter of solidarity, demanding that private sector hospitals settle a fair contract for nurses and patients. New York Daily News and 1010 Wins covered the letter. On Monday, Dec. 22, New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Chair of the NYS Senate Committee on Internet and Technology, published an OpEd in Crain's calling on Mount Sinai to prioritize investments in frontline nurses and the patients we care for instead risky AI investments.
What’s Next?
Nurses remain committed to the fight to defend patient care and are hopeful that management will settle fair contracts by the Dec. 31 deadline. They are also ready—and willing—to do whatever it takes to make sure those contracts address safe staffing ratios, workplace violence protections, and a real plan to recruit and retain qualified nurses—issues that face nurses at all twelve bargaining hospitals. As Pres. Hagans said, striking is always a last resort, but nurses are willing to strike if that’s what it takes to defend patient care for all New Yorkers.