Some of the 15,000 nurses who went on strike Monday in the Big Apple told our sister publication, amNewYork, that the strike is not just about wages and working conditions, but, above all, about the patients in their care.
Outside NewYork-Presbyterian Millstein, located at 177 Fort Washington Ave., several nurses — among hundreds on strike — looked toward a hospital window where a sign read: “We miss our nurses.” A caregiver who identified herself as Adriana said deciding not to return to work was extremely difficult.
“Last night we were on a Zoom call crying because we were thinking about our patients,” Adriana said. “But we do this for them, for those who are in there. We are out here for them.”
Nurses say the strike seeks fundamental changes
Dressed in red, the color that represents the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), their union, hundreds of nurses occupied the streets around NewYork-Presbyterian Millstein. Despite the cold January morning, they kept their spirits high as they encouraged each other.
Emma Ramírez was among the crowd and, although she smiled and kept her adrenaline high to the rhythm of motivational slogans, she acknowledged that joining the strike was a difficult decision.
“It was an extremely hard decision. I don’t want to be out here, but I want safe staffing. I want better hospital conditions for my patients and for the nurses,” Ramírez said. “We have babies in supply rooms. We have unsafe conditions. We converted a bed space, designed for one patient, into one for triplets. We have three patients in an ICU. It shouldn’t be like this. I don’t want to have to choose which patient to save.”
Ramírez also denounced what he described as hypocrisy on the part of the hospital administration, considering that their employer decides when to call them heroines.
“My message to the hospital is: in 2020 they applauded us; now they are on the other side. Please, not like this,” he added.
While healthcare professionals braved the cold outside in the fight for a new contract, patients inside the hospital told amNewYork they support the cause. Stephanie Bustillo said she took her baby to NewYork-Presbyterian Millstein when he needed care and that the treatment from the nurses was exceptional.
“I spent a year and a few months with my baby in the hospital and I feel enormous love and gratitude for the nurses; they did everything for us. I told my mom that it gives me chills and makes me want to go in there, because they are incredible. I love them,” said Bustillo. “When you see your baby in the most vulnerable situation and you see how much love and care they give to someone they don’t even know, it moves you. To them, my baby was nobody. To me, it’s my entire life, and the way they treated her was incredible.”
Hospitals stand firm
According to the affected hospitals, the striking staff will be reinforced with a contingent of temporary nurses. Still, a Mount Sinai spokesperson said they were unable to reach an agreement.
“Unfortunately, NYSNA decided to move forward with the strike while refusing to budge on their extreme financial demands, which we cannot agree with, however, we have 1,400 qualified and specialized nurses and are prepared to continue providing safe care to patients for the duration of the strike,” the spokesperson said.
For its part, a spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian said that the institution remains committed to negotiating a fair contract and that it offered salary increases, but maintained that the main objective of the strike is to generate disruptions.
“While NYSNA has directed nurses to step away from direct care, we remain focused on our patients and their care. This strike seeks to cause disruption, but we have taken the necessary steps so that our patients continue to receive the care they trust us to provide,” part of the statement said. “We have proposed significant pay increases that keep our nurses among the highest paid in the city, improvements to employer-funded benefits, and new measures that reflect our shared commitment to safe staffing and workplace safety. However, negotiating in good faith requires commitment from both sides.”
Mamdani expresses solidarity with nurses
Not only the patients present showed their support for the thousands of nurses on the streets in front of hospitals throughout the city; the newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani also supported their cause.
Speaking in front of NewYork-Presbyterian Millstein, Mamdani urged the hospitals to reach an agreement.
“They are there when our children face an emergency. They are there when we go through a medical problem. Many times we don’t even know their names. They show up, and all they ask in return is dignity, respect, and the fair pay and treatment they deserve. They should not settle for less,” said Mayor Mamdani. “There is no shortage of wealth in the healthcare industry, especially in the three private hospital groups where nurses are on strike.”
Leine Hurlbut, a nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian, sent a message to the hospital administration:
“Listen to us. We are the front line. We want the best for our patients and we also want to feel your support. We are tired of this. It’s time for us all to be on the same page. Let’s do better for our patients. Let’s do better for our nurses,” Hurlbut concluded.
