New York, Jan 12 (EFE). — Some 15,000 nurses in New York left their hospital posts early Monday to join the largest healthcare sector strike in the city's history, after negotiators from five major hospitals and the state nurses' union failed to reach an agreement on a new contract. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), which represents professionals at Montefiore Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian, and the Mount Sinai Health System, demands wage increases to offset inflation, while fighting to maintain staffing protections they secured after a three-day strike three years ago. "A strike is always the last resort. But the greed of the administration of these wealthy private hospitals has left no other option for the frontline nurses," NYSNA announced in a statement Monday. The strike comes after months of negotiations on new three-year contracts to replace the union's previous collective bargaining agreements, which expired on December 31. Hospitals will remain open, and care will continue during the strike, at a time when the state is recording a record number of flu cases. "Our message to New Yorkers: If you are sick, please do not delay seeking medical care during our strike. We would prefer to be the ones to provide you with that care, but our bosses have forced us to go on strike," the union association highlights in its statement. Meanwhile, hospital spokespeople have insisted that the union's demands are unreasonable and would cost billions of dollars, at a time when they are already preparing for federal cuts. In a statement issued Sunday night, New York Governor Kathy Hochul assured that the state's Department of Health will have staff in all affected hospitals during the strike to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, for his part, pointed out on social media Sunday night that "no New Yorker should fear losing access to healthcare, and no nurse should be asked to accept less pay, less benefits, or less dignity for a job that saves lives."
