New York City nurses outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan after the January 9, 2023, strike. CBS New York The New York State Nurses Association, which represents workers, said it had been forced to take drastic measures after a chronic understaffing left nurses caring for too many patients
The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus and this year's flu season, has put pressure on the health care sector in America's most populous city, straining strains the relationship between nurses and employers
Hundreds of striking nurses gathered outside two hospitals on Monday morning, chanting "every patient is a VIP" while waving signs supporting the hiring of more nurses and higher salaries.
"Enough is enough, Sinai," New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagan said outside of Mount Sinai on Monday surrounded by red-clad nurses. "What we are asking for is for safe staffing and quality care for patients. We don't think we are asking for too much."
In a separate statement on Monday, the hospitals said they would offer nurses a compound pay increase of 19.1%. Montefiore Medical Center also said it is committed to creating more than 170 new nursing jobs.
