Following a three-day strike for safe staffing, the New York State Nurses Association has announced that deals have been agreed upon and that the NYC nurses have returned to work at Mount Sinai and Montefiore hospitals.
According to NYSNA — the union representing the nurses throughout New York — both hospitals agreed to provide enforceable safe staffing ratios. This policy will ensure there will always be enough nurses to care for patients.
Additionally, nurses at Wyckoff hospital will continue to work following an accepted tentative deal. The nurses originally released a 10-day strike notice but withdrew it after making the deal.
In addition to increased staffing, nurses at Montefiore will also be provided with community health improvement plans, along with student partnerships to recruit local nurses in the Bronx for the long term.
“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," said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans in a statement.
"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 returned to their respective hospitals the morning of Jan. 12, after immediate return-to-work agreements had been reached.
