15,000 NYC Nurses Strike Over Staffing, Benefits; Hospitals Hire Temps

• Over 15,000 nurses in New York City went on strike on Monday (January 12) after negotiations failed to resolve disputes with three major hospital systems.
• The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) union demands better staffing levels, fair contracts, and improved benefits, citing unmanageable workloads and attempts to roll back benefits.
• Hospitals involved include NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and Montefiore systems, which remained open by hiring temporary nurses.
• Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have commented on the strike, with Mamdani supporting the nurses' demands for dignity and fair treatment.
• The strike occurs during a severe flu season and could impact patient care, potentially forcing transfers, canceled procedures, or ambulance diversions.

Why It Matters: Over 15,000 NYC nurses strike for better staffing and benefits, impacting major hospitals.