NEW YORK (AP) — Nurses in New York City returned to the bargaining table after five days of striking, reigniting hopes for a resolution in this labor dispute that has drawn significant public attention.
On Friday, the New York State Nurses Association announced that its bargaining team had begun discussions with Mount Sinai hospitals, following a mediator's request. Earlier, the union had a lengthy meeting with NewYork-Presbyterian officials, marking the first direct negotiations since the strike began when approximately 15,000 nurses walked off their jobs on Monday.
Despite the meetings, both sides reported minimal progress; the hospitals maintained that the union’s demands were unreasonable, while the union stated that its revised proposals were outright rejected.
The discussions extended late into the night as around 70 nurses observed and participated after the meeting was opened to union members.
As negotiations continued, some hospitals managed to keep daily operations running smoothly by hiring thousands of temporary nurses to fill in during the strike.
Hospital officials assert they are committed to maintaining safe staffing levels, which they claim are among the best in the city, yet there remains little hope for a swift conclusion to the negotiations. One hospital president expressed gratitude towards the staff still on duty, reflecting on their critical role during this challenging time.
Future negotiations with Montefiore, another major hospital system involved in the strike, have yet to be scheduled, leaving nurses and hospital administrators in a state of uncertainty.
