More than 15,000 nurses from major New York City hospitals went on strike on Jan. 12 after bargaining talks with hospital management failed to produce progress on improving wages and working conditions.

The nurses, who are from hospitals within the Mount Sinai Health System and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system, are highlighting years of concerns about chronic understaffing, overwhelming patient loads and workplace safety. Some nurses have even reported incidents of workplace violence. 

During this period of picketing and negotiation, it is imperative that the hospitals hear nurses’ concerns while ensuring that the quality of patient care remains unaffected. It is also crucial for both parties to reasonably discuss their concerns in a timely manner as the strike enters its second week. 

With thousands of nurses on strike, the hospitals have spent $100 million on temporary travel nurses and arranged accommodations for them, according to The New York Times.

One nurse told the Times that the hospitals appear more prepared now than during the 2023 strike, when nearly 7,000 nurses walked out for similar reasons but reached an agreement within three days.

This time, the hospitals are steadfast in ignoring nurses and have characterized their demands as unreasonable, signaling that they may be willing to withstand any progress in reaching a mutual agreement.

However, this strike did not come as a surprise. Nurses have long faced intimidation for taking part in union activities. 

The union said Mount Sinai disciplined 14 union advocates who spoke with colleagues and the media about union activities after they felt unsafe following a shooting in a hospital emergency room.

Since the strike began, some of the nurses, who work later shifts when they are not picketing, have been barred from using the hospital pharmacy, leaving them unable to do their jobs. The union has since filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. 

Hours before the strike started, Mount Sinai fired three nurses, two of whom said they were falsely accused of keeping medical supplies away from temporary nurses. 

As negotiations continue, hospitals must remember that protecting patient care goes hand in hand with addressing the working conditions of the nurses who provide it. 

Hospitals should not brush over the issue by replacing the nurses with temporary nurses. 

Investing those resources in better conditions for all nurses, rather than on temporary replacements just to fend off a strike, could ultimately result in better patient care.