Nurses' union alleges illegal firings, union busting amid their biggest strike in NYC history
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The largest nurses' strike in New York City history continues for a second day on Tuesday as the union is making allegations of "union busting" tactics.
Negotiations appear to remain at a standstill between the New York State Nurses Association and three private hospitals systems: Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian.
NYSNA alleges that Mount Sinai fired three labor and delivery nurses just hours before nurses went on strike, and previously unlawfully disciplined 14 vocal nurse leaders who spoke out about workplace violence.
"It was Mount Sinai cruel attempt to stop us from joining the strike line and to make an example of us to our fellow nurses, but we are not scared, we will continue to fight," terminated nurse Lilian Prestia said.
The union says the hospital didn't adhere to the disciplinary process where there should have been an investigation before any action was taken.
"There should be a process, but the nurses didn't do anything wrong except coming out speaking about safety," said NYSNA President Nancy Hagan.
But Mount Sinai says the three nurses were caught "deliberately sabotaging" strike training by "hiding supplies from agency nurses" and "locking critical supplies...for vulnerable newborns in conference rooms where they did not belong" and that it is caught on surveillance video.
Mount Sinai Health System CEO Brendan Carr released a video message to staff late Monday evening.
"I welcome those of you who would like to come back to work, to come back," Carr said. "And I commit to all of you, no matter what your decision, that we will work tirelessly to come to an agreement that balances the incredible value that you bring to our teams with the financial crisis that's facing health care today."
NYSNA also alleged that NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore have been involved in intimidation and retaliatory practices against union efforts.
"Management has responded (to the strike) with retaliation, intimidation, and stalling, and flaunted the more than $100 million they've collectively spent on temporary replacement nurses," NYSNA said, adding that "NewYork-Presbyterian has threatened job loss for striking. Montefiore has surveilled union nurses, in attempts to intimidate them."
NewYork-Presbyterian released a statement that they remain focused on their patients and their care.
"This strike is designed to create disruption, but our patients are continuing to receive the care they trust us to provide," the statement said. "On the bargaining side, we are ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our deep respect for our nurses and the critical role theyplay, andalso recognizes the challenging realities of today's healthcare environment."
Management at Montefiore has not yet responded to the new allegations posed by NYSNA.
This new development comes as nearly 15,000 union nurses across New York City remain on strike. The last time the nurses walked was in 2023 and that strike lasted for three days.
Staffing levels are a top issue for striking nurses. The union says nurses are dealing with unmanageable workloads and they also want improved security in hospitals, better pay, and fully-funded benefits.
Regardless of the strike, all hospitals stressed that they will remain open.
There are currently no known plans for a return to the bargaining table.
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