Nurses at 3 Long Island hospitals inch closer to possible strike ahead of Monday negotiation deadline
A spokesperson for Northwell Health stated that it has activated its contingency plan and promises to keep all its Long Island hospitals operational in the event of a strike.
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UPDATE FRIDAY 10:40 P.M.: Northwell Health announced Friday that Syosset and Plainview hospitals reached a tentative agreement with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA). Original story below.
Today is the last weekday for the New York State Nurses Association and Northwell Health to strike a deal or face the possibility of heading into the weekend inching closer to a strike.
The situation between the two sides reached a fever pitch last Friday, Jan. 2, when the nurses delivered a 10-day strike notice set to expire Monday. A thousand nurses at three Long Island hospitals have warned they are prepared to strike next week without a new contract.
The union is asking for safe staffing ratios and guaranteed health care benefits for front-line nurses.
In its latest update, more than 200 New York State Nurses Association nurses from Huntington Hospital, Plainview Hospital and Syosset Hospital packed the negotiating room on Wednesday but walked away without a deal, the union said late Thursday.
NYSNA has accused Northwell of union-busting, including when nurses at Huntington Hospital say they were instructed to clear out their lockers by Sunday. A Northwell Health spokesperson said it has been negotiating in good faith.
Hospital officials said they don't anticipate a disruption to care and a spokesperson said all three affected hospitals on Long Island would remain fully operational if a strike occurs.
Northwell activated its comprehensive contingency plan this week, which includes hiring temporary nurses in preparation for Monday.
A Northwell spokesperson told News 12 today, "Northwell Health continues to consistently disagree with NYSNA's characterization of negotiations. We continue to bargain in good faith and have done so for the past year, reaching dozens of tentative agreements that reflect meaningful progress. Discussions are ongoing, every day, and we remain fully committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement. At the center of these negotiations is high-quality patient care. Northwell supports staffing models that are flexible, evidence-based, and clinically driven. Claims of intimidation or union-busting are categorically false. Northwell highly values its nurses and respects their right to engage in the collective bargaining process. Our focus remains on finding common ground that supports our workforce, ensures safe patient care, and allows us to continue serving our communities responsibly. We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached and will continue to diligently work toward that goal."
