Signs of progress have emerged in the two-week-old nurses’ strike in New York City, as union officials announced a breakthrough on one of the dispute’s central issues — health benefits.
The New York State Nurses Association said Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian have agreed to maintain nurses’ current health insurance plans, resolving a key sticking point in negotiations. However, final tentative contract agreements have yet to be reached.
Union leaders said nurses were not on picket lines Sunday due to the winter storm and will remain off the lines Monday, but plan to resume striking Tuesday if a final agreement is not secured.
In a statement released Sunday, NewYork-Presbyterian confirmed progress in discussions, saying that through mediation, hospital leadership and union representatives agreed to a process in which trustees of the Health Benefits Plan will form a committee to explore cost-saving measures and potential program changes within the nurses’ healthcare plan.
Montefiore Medical Center, another hospital involved in negotiations, stated that healthcare benefits were never part of its bargaining discussions.
While the health benefits issue appears closer to resolution at two hospitals, broader contract negotiations remain ongoing as both sides work toward a final settlement.
