Labor allies set to join NYC nurses at press conference on 19th day of strike
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Striking nurses say talks with hospital management remain stalled as the largest nurse strike in New York City history enters its 19th day.
Members of the New York State Nurses Association are expected to continue meeting in bargaining committees Friday, working on proposals while they wait to be called back to the bargaining table by mediators.
"While nurses have made major progress toward protecting their high-quality healthcare - a key sticking point in bargaining at Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian - they have yet to see progress on safe staffing and protections from workplace violence. Nurses have continued to reiterate that they are more than willing to negotiate on wages, but will not cut corners on safe patient care," the New York State Nurses Association said in a statement.
An 11 a.m. news conference is being held Friday outside NewYork Presbyterian's Columbia campus, where nurses are being joined by labor allies to show support.
Union leaders say the rally marks the close of the third week of daily picketing in cold conditions, with nurses continuing to walk the line in hopes of reaching fair contracts.
Hospitals have said financial pressures limit what they can agree to, but nurses dispute that, noting that the health systems continue to take in significant revenue while spending millions on temporary replacement nurses during the strike.
In a message to staff, Mount Sinai CEO Brendan Carr said "progress remains slow" and given that, the hospital has "extended our staffing contracts" with travel nurses "another few weeks to ensure that we won't have an interruption in services."
"Our negotiating teams show up early, stay late, and continue to follow the guidance of the mediators. Don't believe everything you hear," Carr said in part in a statement.
"We know that at some point this strike will come to an end, and I am thinking about how we repair and rebuild our culture. It's a challenge," he added.
The walkout involves nurses at multiple hospitals across Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork Presbyterian facilities.
Union leaders say they remain ready to bargain at any time and will continue picketing until agreements are reached.
The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 registered nurses statewide.
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