Day26: Nurses March To Governor's Office As Protest Continues
NEW YORK—In a massive show of force, hundreds of striking nurses marched from Times Square to the office of Governor Kathy Hochul, with Filipino-American healthcare professionals at the forefront of the walkout.
The protest marks the 26th day of the largest and longest nursing strike in New York City history, with over 15,000 nurses from Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian systems still holding the line.
The marchers criticized the Governor’s perceived inaction and her recent executive order allowing out-of-state personnel to fill gaps, which strikers argue undermines their push for safe staffing ratios and better patient care.
"26th day! One day longer, one day stronger," said Nedilyn Santuyo-Mangune, a Filipina-American registered nurse at the Montefiore Medical Center, highlighting the frustration of the striking workforce.
Sharing their continuing fight on social media to the streets of New York, Nurse Nedilyn highlighted the frustrations of her colleagues, noting that management was stalling on priorities while the staff demanded better patient care provisions.
The presence of the protesters was quite a sight — a sea of hats, scarves, and eyeglasses, all in red — the color of the nurses' union. The protesters moved en masse uptown more than a dozen blocks to the governor’s Manhattan office.
"Rain or Snow! Together we will show! Bitter cold will not break us. One day longer! One day Stronger!," Nedilyn shared on Facebook, wearing similar headgear and heart shaped sunglasses with other picketmates.
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has been negotiating for over three weeks with Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Montefiore Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Despite the historic length of the strike, hospital management and union leaders remain deadlocked on several core issues. "We believe in protecting human rights and dignity," Santuyo-Mangune stated.
Nurses demand enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios to prevent burnout and ensure patient safety. A major sticking point is the protection of the NYSNA Plan A health benefits, which some hospitals have proposed cutting.
In January, Nurse Nedilyn shared that some resident doctors joined the picket line amidst the harsh cold, saying it was deeply inspiring. "We applaud them. When we unite, we win," Nurse Nedilyn said.
Representing a backbone of the city's healthcare system, these nurses are part of an estimated 15,000 health professionals from major hospital systems—Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian—continue to hold the line on the largest and longest nurse strike in city history and demand that employers settle fair contracts with nurses.
Meanwhile, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said thirteen people were arrested at a rally linked to the nurses strike outside the League of Voluntary Hospitals at 555 West 57th St. on Day 25 of the protest.
Photos: Nedilyn Santuyo-Mangune
