Contract talks between New York City’s largest private hospital systems and the union representing their nurses continued Friday as the massive walkout entered its 19th day.

More than 15,000 nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association have been on strike since Jan. 12 at hospitals run by Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian. The walkout is the largest nurses’ strike in the city’s history.

Union leaders say talks have stalled on what they call the most important issues: safe staffing levels and protections against workplace violence.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 15,000 nurses at Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian have been on strike since Jan. 12

  • Contract negotiations are ongoing with the help of mediators as the strike is set to enter its fourth week

  • The nurses’ union says major sticking points remain, including safe staffing levels and stronger protections against workplace violence

  • Hospitals say patient care has largely continued with temporary nurses

Nurses and their supporters planned a Friday morning speak-out outside NewYork-Presbyterian facilities to mark the end of the strike’s third week. Labor groups including District Council 37, 32BJ SEIU, 1199 SEIU and the New York City Central Labor Council are expected to join them.

“New York City is a union town,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans in a statement. “And when greedy bosses pick a fight with any group of workers in our city, we have each other’s backs because an injury to one is an injury to all.  Nurses are caregivers, but we are also workers who deserve dignity, respect, and safety at work. We will not tolerate union busting and we will not back down on our demands for safe staffing and protections from workplace violence.”

Earlier in the strike, the union said it cleared a major hurdle after Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian agreed to maintain existing health benefits.

Though, the union says hospitals have shown little movement beyond health benefits and have not agreed to keep or strengthen staffing standards that were won in a 2023 strike. 

NYSNA also says hospital management has resisted proposals to address workplace violence.

Hospital officials disagree with the union’s claims.

NewYork-Presbyterian said its bargaining team met with the union through a mediator this week at the Javits Center and that another session is being scheduled.

Montefiore said it has also returned to negotiations.

“We have been back at the table this week and have made meaningful proposals to NYSNA on economics, staffing, safety and AI,” a Montefiore spokesperson said. “Our proposals are in NYSNA’s corner and we are awaiting a response.”

Mount Sinai pushed back on union criticism related to safety, particularly around interactions with law enforcement.

“We have an extensive systemwide policy that addresses how employees should respond during any interactions with law enforcement,” a Mount Sinai spokesperson said, adding that the union supports the policy.

The spokesperson accused NYSNA of raising the issue to avoid discussions about what the hospital described as “unreasonable economic demands.”

Hospitals say patient care has largely continued, with the help of thousands of temporary travel nurses hired before the strike.

City and state officials say they have not seen widespread disruptions, though hospitals have canceled some elective procedures and adjusted patient volumes.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has extended an executive order allowing outside personnel to work during the strike through early February.