Nurses strike in largest such walkout in New York City history

Nearly 15,000 nurses have gone on strike in New York City, the largest nurse strike in the city’s history. Nurses at four hospitals walked out yesterday morning after months of bargaining over concerns about workplace violence, benefits and staffing. The nurses note that management at “the richest hospitals in New York City” have threatened to discontinue or radically slash health benefits, adding that the cuts would impact nearly 27,000 nurses at more than 50 hospitals across the state. “Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues, patient and nurse safety,” said New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans. “It is deeply offensive that they would rather use their billions to fight against their own nurses than settle a fair contract.” The union represents more than 42,000 nurses in the state.