The historic nurses’ strike in New York City entered its eighth day Monday, with nearly 15,000 nurses still off the job amid stalled negotiations with some of the city’s largest hospital systems.

Nurses from NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and Montefiore Medical Center walked out last Monday, demanding higher wages, increased staffing levels to better manage patient care, fully funded benefits, and stronger workplace protections against violence.

Negotiations between hospital administrators and union representatives began late last week but have since stalled, with no apparent breakthrough as tensions continue to rise between the private hospital systems and their workforce.

Despite harsh winter conditions, nurses continued picketing over the weekend, gathering even in snowfall to chant and call for their demands to be addressed.

On Monday, striking nurses planned to combine protest with community service in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Nurses are scheduled to provide free community health screenings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the city-run George Washington Carver Houses.

Later in the day, civil rights leader Al Sharpton is expected to join nurses on the picket line at Mount Sinai Morningside at 3:30 p.m. Other picket locations are hosting family-focused events, inviting relatives and community members to stand in solidarity.

While nurses remain on strike, hospital operations are continuing with the assistance of traveling nurses hired to fill staffing gaps. However, it remains unclear how long such measures can sustain normal operations as the standoff continues.

All hospitals affected by the strike have emphasized that they remain open and continue to provide care to patients.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)