Approximately 96% of New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses voted to authorize a strike at Montefiore Nyack, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon Hospitals.
According to the NYSNA, all three facilities have seen high nurse turnover since the pandemic began, adding that several areas of each hospital “are routinely understaffed because working conditions and wages have not kept pace with nearby hospitals.” The union stated nurse vacancy rate at Nyack Hospital is nearly 25% and is at 20% in New Rochelle, while the Mount Vernon facility experienced a 23% reduction in the work force since 2020.
The nurses’ contracts with the hospitals will expire on Dec. 31.
“Nurses everywhere are speaking out and demanding better working conditions and better care conditions for our patients,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, adding the union will “do whatever it takes to make sure Monte nurses win fair contracts that help deliver quality care for all New Yorkers—no matter the ZIP code.”
